Target Is Closing As Many Stores As It Opened Last Year

Target might have Alex, but the teen heartthrob isn't enough to save some of the company's stores from getting the ax.

The retail giant said Tuesday that it plans to shutter 11 underperforming stores by next February, about six months after it closed eight other locations. That brings the total number of closures to 19 this year -- as many locations as the company opened last year, according to its annual report.

“The decision to close a Target store is only made after careful consideration of the long-term financial performance of a particular location,” the company said in a statement. “All eligible store team members are being offered the option to transfer to other Target stores.”

Employees who choose not to transfer will receive severance payments, the statement said. The stores, closing by Feb. 1, 2015, include locations scattered throughout the South and Midwest. Evan Lapiska, a Target spokesman, said each store currently employs roughly 100 workers.

Target has struggled over the past year in the wake of a massive breach of customer data, which cost its chief executive his job. The company is also facing trouble as big-box retailers lose ground with shoppers to smaller stores and e-commerce sites.

In response, Target began testing smaller, urban express stores and beefed up its digital team in July. In this case, the company appears to be trimming fat as part of its turnaround strategy.

Here’s a full list of stores closing:

Lithonia, Georgia

8109 Mall Parkway

Lithonia, Ga.

Castleton, Indiana

8448 Center Run Drive

Indianapolis, Ind.

Monroe, Michigan

2121 N. Monroe St.

Monroe, Mich.

Clinton, Iowa

2900 S. 25th St.

Clinton, Iowa

Wichita East, Kansas

301 S. Towne East Mall Drive

Wichita, Kan.

Northland, Michigan

21400 Northwestern Highway

Southfield, Mich.

McHenry, Illinois

1860 N. Richmond Road

McHenry, Ill

Bay City, Michigan

4135 Wilder Road

Bay City, Mich.

Austin, Minnesota

1701 18th Ave. N.W.

Austin, Minn.

Calumet City, Illinois

1717 E. West Road

Calumet City, Ill.

Carrolton, Texas

2620 N. Josey Lane

Carrollton, Texas