Shop Talk

Check out Talbots checking out of the men’s and kids’ clothing business.

The women’s apparel retailer, which like many other women’s apparel retailers is struggling to generate sales, is going to focus on its core 35 or older female customers.

That means goodbye to the 66 Talbots Kids stores and 12 Talbots Mens stores, as well as about 800 full- and part-time employees — about 5 percent of the retailer’s workforce.

Those workers will join a growing number of unemployed people in the United States. The U.S. unemployment rate jumped to 5 percent in December, the highest in more than 2 years.

Concerns about job security, along with rising costs and a sluggish U.S. economy, have weighed on retail sales for several months, with women’s apparel being especially hard hit.

Talbots said fourth-quarter sales at its namesake stores and J. Jill brand are both trending below expectations .

Also in the basket:

Pacific Sunwear to close remaining demo stores

 Wendy’s company-owned same-store sales off

Hasbro to acquire game-maker Cranium for $77.5 million

British pub chain limits drinks for parents

College’s wine program helps boost town (WSJ)

(Photo: Reuters)