Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 8, 1991 TAG: 9103080094
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: A-9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SANDRA BROWN KELLY BUSINESS WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Elkin, N.C.-based chain told employees about the policy earlier this week. James Eversole, executive vice president, called the move an "evaluation process."
He said the freezes, which are being applied throughout the company, were put in place as a precautionary step to control expenses until the company can see how business is going to go later this year. He pointed out that the company hasn't had any layoffs.
In contrast, Best Products Inc., a competitor of Brendle's, has in recent months laid off some 350 employees, including 75 from corporate headquarters in Henrico County, as part of an attempt to cut $30 million in expenses under a bankruptcy reorganization filed by the company in January.
Retail stores have just come through a "tough" sales period, said Eversole. He said business has picked up in recent weeks, "but it's a little early for me to sing the optimistic song." He said he will feel more comfortable about the future of retail sales "if I can get another three or four weeks" of good sales.
Business at all the Virginia Brendle's stores has been "more durable" than in other states, he said, and the company plans to open a store in Richmond on May 1.
In early January, Brendle's closed its store on Apperson Drive and offered its 20 employees jobs at outlets at Tanglewood and Valley View malls.
"We're not involved in gloom and doom, but you can't be optimistic and wide-eyed, either," said Eversole. "You can't just set a course for the year and hope it will happen."
by CNB