Employees, customers react to country-wide Future Shop closures

Reaction poured in from across Canada over news that dozens of Future Shop locations will be closed.

Photos of shuttered storefronts hit Twitter; some stores to be converted into Best Buy locations

CBC News Posted: Mar 28, 2015 12:37 PM EDT | Last Updated: March 28, 2015

The sudden store closings took many employees and customers by surprise. This sign appeared at a Future Shop store in St. John's on Saturday morning. (Mark Quinn/CBC)

Reaction poured in from across Canada over news that dozens of Future Shop locations will be closed.

Future Shop's parent company Best Buy Canada Ltd. saidit was shutting down 66 Future Shop stores effective immediately. Meanwhile, another 65 stores will be closed for a week while they are converted to Best Buy stores.

NDP Leader TomMulcairtweeted his condolences to Canadians in response to the news.

The news from @FutureShop today impacts hundreds of Canadian families. My thoughts are with them at this difficult time.
—@ThomasMulcair

CBC reporters shared images of shuttered storefronts and employees who came in for work as normal, only to learn their fate on a weekend morning.

A sign at #FutureShop's Eaton Centre location. Read more: http://t.co/mYVNoTdbFb pic.twitter.com/Fqb53jWyE7
—@CBCToronto

Future Shop employees hug it out after learning some of them have just lost their jobs #cbcmtl pic.twitter.com/Zs0huHZzYO
—@traceylindeman

The Futureshop in Fredericton has closed. Signs say it will reopen on April 4th as a Best Buy #NB pic.twitter.com/FV71r4EIqF
—@CBCShane

In the #Fredericton store alone 20-30 jobs were let go. Those employees will have to reapply for work at Best Buy which opens next week #NB
—@CBCShane

"It kinda sucks that people have to reapply for their jobs," says former Futureshop employee. "They gave no guarantees" #NB
—@CBCShane

Lights are off and doors are locked at Saskatoon's Future Shop. #cbcsk #yxe pic.twitter.com/FCJurAci8A
—@MadelineKotzer

CBC News asked Future Shop employees and customers what they thought of the sudden announcement. Here are some of their responses.

@CBCNews @FutureShop signs were made and shipped out to stores. How long have they known?
—@bignotsmall

.@CBCNews almost every piece of electronics I've bought over the last 15-16 years was from @FutureShop. Sad to see so many lose their jobs.
—@Relaxiknwarchie

@CBCNews @FutureShop unprofessional the way it all happened this morning. Ppls jobs at stakes. News release shud have been issued wks ago!
—@mohsinjeelani

@CBCNews @FutureShop I see all conglomerate businesses uniting: Burger King bought Tim Horton's, Dariy Queen bought Orange Julius. ETC.
—@TWEETSFROMKMW

Future Shop's Twitter account responded to some of the replies to our call out.

@nattghan Decisions that impact our people are never taken lightly; our first priority is to support them through this change.
—@FutureShop

@TWEETSFROMKMW We're happy to honour the warranties on your products at any Best Buy location! Here's more info: http://t.co/JaTY8iXlqn
—@FutureShop

Are you a Future Shop employee or customer? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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