Apple is closing three mall stores across three states as it continues reshaping its retail footprint amid shifting market conditions – but employees at each location are reportely being treated differently in the process.
The stores, set to close for good in June, are in Towson, Maryland, Escondido, California and Trumbull, Connecticut, Apple confirmed to MacRumors this week.
All three stores were temporarily closed Wednesday, but are now open and will continue operating until their final shuttering this summer, according to the outlet.
The company decided to close the three stores because of worsening conditions at the malls they were located in, particularly after a number of other retailers had already pulled out.
“At Apple, we are constantly striving to deliver exceptional service and great experiences for our customers,” an Apple spokesperson told MacRumors in a statement. “As we continue investing to expand and enhance our retail stores and offerings worldwide, we remain deliberate about evaluating our existing locations to ensure that we can meet our customers' needs in the best way.”
“Following the departure of several retailers and declining conditions at Trumbull Mall, the Shops at North County, and Towson Town Center, we've made the difficult decision to close our stores at these locations,” Apple’s statement continued.
The closure of the Maryland location is raising eyebrows, since it was the first Apple Store in the U.S. to unionize in 2022. For this reason, employees at the three stores will not be treated the same across locations.
Workers at the two nonunion stores, Apple North County and Apple Trumbull, will be kept on and transferred to nearby Apple locations. However, employees at the unionized Towson Town Center store will not automatically keep their jobs elsewhere and will instead need to reapply for open positions under the terms of their collective bargaining agreement, Apple told Fast Company.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union said in a statement that it is “outraged” by the closure and is reviewing its options to hold Apple accountable.
“Apple's claim that the collective bargaining agreement prevents relocation is simply false and raises serious concerns that this closure is a cynical attempt to bust the union,” the statement reads. “We are exploring all legal options and will work with elected officials and allies to hold Apple accountable. We stand with our IAM Coalition of Organized Retail Employees members and the community that depends on this store for essential access and support.”
The Independent has contacted Apple for comment.
The closures follow similar moves by other mall and shopping center retailers. Saks Global Inc., the parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, is shutting more stores as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring, aimed at reducing debt and focusing on its stronger-performing locations and businesses.
The company plans to shut 12 Saks Fifth Avenue stores and three Neiman Marcus locations, including Saks stores in Chevy Chase, Maryland, Chicago, Illinois, and San Antonio, Texas, with operations expected to continue through the end of May before closing.
These closures add to an earlier round announced last month that included eight Saks stores and one Neiman Marcus location, which are set to close by the end of this month.
As of February, there were 272 Apple Stores in the U.S., according to Statista.
Carl’s Jr. franchisee owning 65 restaurants files for bankruptcy
Trader Joe’s set to open new stores across 12 states: Here’s the full list
Sam’s Club announces price hike to its annual memberships — starting next month
Trump promised tax refunds would jump ‘$1,000’. The wealthy will benefit, experts say
