West Marine lays off support personnel

WATSONVILLE, Calif. – Boating supplies retail chain West Marine has laid off an unspecified number of employees at its Watsonville support center and Hollister distribution center, according to a report in today’s Santa Cruz Sentinel. In addition, open positions at the two locations are not being filled.

West Marine spokesperson Laurie Fried told the newspaper that “a small percentage” of employees were impacted and suggested that the seasonal nature of the business typically means fewer employees during the fall and winter.

The retailer reported a total of 5,143 employees in October, the Sentinel stated.

This news comes less than a month after West Marine said it would close 30 to 40 underperforming stores, due in part to an industry-wide sales decline.

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