Five Louisiana locations affected: Discount chain Goody’s Family Clothing will begin liquidating its stores on Friday as the retailer becomes one of the year’s first victims of the worsening economy. The Knoxville, Tenn.-based chain, which emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection four months ago, has 287 stores in 20 Midwestern and Southern states. Goody’s has five Louisiana locations: Hammond, Lake Charles, New Iberia, Opelousas and Ruston. It’s uncertain what will happen to the company’s 9,800 workers after the liquidation is completed by the end of March. But without a last-minute buyer or an investor to purchase high-performing stores, their job outlook is grim.
A town so nice, it made the list twice: New York topped a survey of the best cities to work and live and a list of the worst cities to work and live. The list, compiled by Yahoo Real Estate, was based on a poll of 2,500 people. Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Chicago also made the best and worst lists. New Orleans was ranked as the fourth worst city to live.
Looking to move on: Although hiring is predicted to slow down, 19% of workers surveyed say they plan to leave their current job before the end of the year. The CareerBuilder.com survey of more than 8,800 workers also found that 19% have made finding a new job one of their resolutions for 2009. Sixty percent of workers say the tight job market and weak economy have caused them to hold off plans to switch employers.
