Forever 21, the well-known fashion retailer, has signaled imminent layoffs in light of potential bankruptcy. The company is set to close at least 200 stores in the United States on its quest for a buyer and financial restructuring, according to Bloomberg as cited by the Los Angeles Daily News. This would have a profound impact on current staff members, with the fashion house planning to permanently lay off 358 employees from its Fashion District headquarters in Los Angeles. The layoffs will impact managers, designers, supply chain directors and managers of product development and store operations.

In a letter to the Employment Development Department (EDD) of California filed on February 18, Forever 21’s CFO Bradley Sell announced that these layoffs are expected to begin on April 21 and continue until May 5. The retailer is looking at potential investors for a possible restructuring of the company and remaining operational in some capacity. However, the liquidation of its 350-store chain could be on the horizon if the suitable investors are not found.

Other major corporations like Starbucks, Chevrolet, Southwest Airlines, Estée Lauder, JPMorgan Chase, CNN, and Kohl’s have also begun laying off employees, with around 49,800 job cuts from American companies reported in January alone, according to a report from Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

When going through layoffs, contacting the Employment Development Department (EDD) becomes crucial for ensuring you receive unemployment benefits. You can visit sites like eddcaller.com for more information on how to get a hold of edd customer service. One can also find instructions there on how to speak to a representative for support during this difficult time.