Kohl’s is planning to close 18 stores across the country, in which seven are located in Southern California. The American department store retail chain will shut down its stores in Cypress, Ladera Ranch, Arcadia, West Hills, Santa Ana, Upland South, and Mira Mesa.

Peter Navarro, a UC Irvine economist, said that, “They are under tremendous pressure now from the Amazon effect. The effect of online shopping.”

He said that, “Just like Airbnb is killing hotel chains and Uber is killing taxi industry. Well, the Amazon effect is killing malls.”  

A customer, Tiffany Miller, said that, “I don’t like to shop online. For me, I like to go in and try it on and make sure it fits,” she said. “They have the best return policy. I love Kohl’s.”

According to a Kohl’s spokesperson, they are closing few stores because those stores did not make enough money to justify staying open.  He said that, “Consumers should not freak out because we are gonna get better, faster, cheaper goods.”

The closure is scheduled to take place within three months. It will also affect around 1,800 employees nationwide.

Nandini