Warehouse One Closing All 128 Stores: What You Need to Do Now
The Bottom Line: If you have a Warehouse One gift card, spend it immediately. If you work there, prepare for a layoff and check your severance rights.
Warehouse One is shutting down for good. The Winnipeg-based denim retailer has asked the court for permission to close all 128 of its stores across Canada. This means everything must go, and the store will soon cease to exist.
Here is what this means for your wallet and your job.
What is happening?
Warehouse One is going into "liquidation." This is a process where a company sells off all its inventory and assets to pay off debts. The company recently acquired the Bootlegger brand, but now the Warehouse One side of the business is closing.
The company is seeking court approval to start these sales immediately. Once the court says yes, the closing sales begin.
Who is affected?
- Shoppers: Anyone with a gift card or store credit.
- Employees: All staff working at the 128 Warehouse One locations across Canada.
What you should do
If you are a shopper:
- Spend gift cards now: Do not wait. Once the liquidation process officially starts, stores often stop accepting gift cards. Go to the store today or use the balance online as soon as possible.
- Check the return policy: Liquidation sales usually have a "final sale" policy. This means you likely cannot return items once you buy them. Make sure the clothes fit and you want them before you pay.
- Understand the discounts: Prices will start high, but they may drop lower as weeks go by. However, popular sizes will disappear quickly.
If you are an employee:
- Apply for EI: You will likely lose your job soon. You can apply for Employment Insurance (EI) as soon as your last shift is done or your hours are cut to zero.
- Contact your provincial employment office: In Canada, termination laws vary by province. You may be owed severance pay or termination pay.
- Look up "Employment Standards" for your province (e.g., Manitoba, Ontario, BC).
- You can file a claim if the company does not pay you what you are owed.
- Update your resume: Start looking for new retail jobs immediately. The holiday season is approaching, and other retailers may be hiring.
Key Details
- Number of stores closing: 128
- Headquarters: Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Reason: Strategic decision following the acquisition of the Bootlegger brand.
Bottom Line
This is the end of the road for Warehouse One. Shoppers must use gift cards immediately before they become worthless. Employees should prepare for unemployment and ensure they receive the severance pay they are legally entitled to under provincial law.