Sony Computer Entertainment Japan and Asia (SCEJA) President Atsushi Morita speaks during SCEJA press conference in Tokyo, Monday, Sept. 1, 2014. Sony is trying to woo Japanese game fans to the PlayStation 4 home console that went on sale in November in the U.S. and Europe, but didn't arrive at stores here until February.
Sony Corp. will close all 14 of its Sony Stores across Canada as the company continues to struggle to reshape its business.
The company made the announcement on Thursday in a memo to the employees of its stores — including its Ottawa location in the Bayshore Shopping Centre — telling them that the stores will cease operations within the next two months.
The company confirmed the news in a statement released to The Citizen.
“Over the next 6 to 8 weeks we are closing our Sony Stores in Canada and will redirect all of this business through our national network of Sony retailers, our online store … as well as through our Sony-trained Telesales team,” read the statement. “Our network of Sony authorized retailers offer a full range of Sony products and will be supported by our in-store Merchandisers and Product Trainers on an ongoing basis in order to ensure that our past customers have continued access to knowledgeable Sales consultants who can support their ongoing Sony electronics needs.“
The company’s news came on the same day that Target announced it would be shuttering all of its retail stores in Canada.
Sony did not say how many jobs are affected by the decision.
The closure comes as Sony is struggling to reshape its business amidst years of losses. For the current fiscal year which ends in March, the company is estimating a $1.9 billion (U.S.) loss.
Within the last year the company sold its Vaio personal computing business and spun out its TV manufacturing operations.
It is now reported to be considering exiting the TV business entirely. The company is also considering options for its lacklustre cellular phone Division. It is also being said that Sony is closing stores in Puerto Rico.
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What the hell is Happening??? i thought they were recovering after all the success of the PS4. I may be dissapointed with few things but Sony is my favorite Hardware maker and it seems like they are in serious Trouble. I personally would hate to see them gone from electronics or even worse see the Dreamcast Story repeat again because that would be very sad.
I grew up with Sony products and even my first Radio was a Sony one followed by a Sony Walkman, Discman, Playstation 1,2,3,4, Wireless Headphones(the most awesome headphones on earth), VaioTab 20, Laptop, Cellphone and the Tablet S. Too many devices from that Company in my life and i would be very sad if this continues.