Industry Watch: Tracking layoffs, closures and downsizing

SNEWS® continues tracking layoffs, closures and trimming in the outdoor and fitness industries to give perspective on the depth of the economic crunch.

In a story on Feb. 2, 2009, we began a chronological chart showing companies and their layoffs or closures by date with links to our stories or other news releases.

In today’s update, we have added to that chart with those layoffs and bankruptcies we can confirm. Click here to access the story and see the updated chart. 

Unfortunately, the outdoor and fitness industries have not been insulated from the crisis. We are getting calls and emails daily alerting us to additional layoffs, company downsizing and other cost-cutting measures. And those reductions take a human toll and affect us all and our businesses in some way.

SNEWS Reader Polls gauge pulse

In our SNEWS Reader Poll that ran in early February – a new and ongoing feature on the website since its relaunch in January 2009 – we asked “If the economy does not improve in the next six months, do you believe additional businesses are at risk of going under?” You told us quite firmly, they are. Click here to see a Feb. 20 story summarizing those results. You also mentioned particular companies and segments.

To take part in our regular Reader Polls, click here to voice your opinion – our current question asks retailers what they are doing differently to survive. To view the regularly updated survey results of the ongoing survey, as well as past Reader Polls and their results, click here or, simply log in at www.outsidebusinessjournal.com and scroll down the right navigation bar until you arrive at the colorful survey graphic.