Based on a June 21 USA Today news article, discount store chain Fred's is closing 49 more stores and the U.S. 82 location in Indianola is now on a list of 17 Mississippi locations that will have its doors shuttered.
And a question that has been on the minds of many local residents is, Who’s going to fill that void? Indianola Mayor Steve Rosenthal said, “I have made five or six calls at this point. Fred’s wants to sell it and most of these chain operators only rent. (I) Haven’t given up yet.”
This is reportedly the third round of closings for the chain since April and it came five weeks after "going out of business" liquidation sales began at 105 Fred's stores and followed a decision to close 159 locations.
USA Today reports that only 244 stores will be left open subsequent to the combined closure of the 313 locations that represents 56 percent of the company.
The E-T’s attempt to reach representatives at Fred’s for a comment was unsuccessful; however, the article mentioned a statement from the company that said, “Fred's decision to close additional underperforming stores follows a continued evaluation of the Company's store portfolio, including historical and recent store performance and the timing of lease expirations, among other factors.”
The pharmacies inside of the stores set to close will remain open, Fred's said in the statement.
