Newell Brands to close Yankee Candle stores, cut jobs

Core Insights - Newell Brands is closing 20 Yankee Candle stores in North America starting January, representing about 1% of brand sales, as part of a strategy to optimize its retail presence and align with modern consumer shopping behaviors [1][4] - The company is also reducing its global workforce by over 900 employees, approximately 10% of its professional and clerical staff, with most cuts occurring in December in the U.S. and continuing internationally through 2026 [4][5] - Newell Brands aims to enhance efficiency and performance through a turnaround plan initiated in 2023, focusing on higher performance expectations and value-driven spending [7][10] Company Strategy - Newell Brands is implementing a global strategy to create a more agile and high-performing organization to better compete in the market [3] - The CEO emphasized the importance of the productivity plan in enhancing efficiency and delivering consistent performance, ultimately aiming to provide greater value for consumers and long-term value for shareholders [9][11]