DECEMBER 14, 2023 — SOME EMPLOYEES SCREWED BY ZULILY’s INVESTMENT FUND OWNER
Promised employment until their separation on February 24, 2024, a number of employees were locked out two months short of their announced termination date.
Subject: Employment Update
December 13, 2023
Dear ****,
As you know, on December 7, 2023, we gave you notice informing you that your employment relationship with Zulily would end on February 7, 2024, or the 14-day period commencing on that date. We gave this notice voluntarily under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act even though you were not entitled to WARN notice because you are not employed at an affected site of employment as defined by the WARN Act.
We regret to inform you that based on business circumstances we must move your Termination Date up. This letter replaces and supersedes the December 7 notice, and serves as notice that your employment relationship with Zulily will end on December 13, 2023 (the “Termination Date”). You will receive your final paycheck, which includes any wages due through your Termination Date, in accordance with Zulily’s regular payroll practices, and/or state law.
If you participate in the Zulily’s group health insurance plans, your coverage under those plans will cease effective December 31, 2023, unless further extended under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). Information about the availability of continued coverage under COBRA will be sent to you separately. Any other employment benefits in which you participate will cease on your Termination Date.
You will receive separation information, including required notices by state, to your personal email by end of day today. If you don’t see it in your inbox, please reach out to xxxxxxxxx.
We thank you for your service to Zulily, and wish you well in your future endeavors.
Sincerely,
Richard Ormand, Manager and Chief Restructuring Officer
DECEMBER 7, 2023 — GONE!
“All sales are final during Zulily’s going-out-of-business sale,”
Amid vendor lawsuits for non-payment, the company has announced that it is laying off 292 employees in its Seattle headquarters and closing three offices —its Seattle headquarters, and in February 2024, warehouses in McCarran, Nevada, and Lockbourne, Ohio,
AUGUST 13, 2023 — HQ BUILDING FOR SALE, LEAVING SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
Zulily’s 6-floor, 345,777-square-foot headquarters building is going on the rental market. The company is also exiting the consumables, including groceries, market to concentrate on other merchandise. This follows layoffs in March 2023 when the company was acquired. More changes to follow.
MAY 29, 2023 — ZULILY SOLD, EMPLOYEES AT RISK
As with any sale to an investment firm, operational reorganizations and reductions in force follow as the night follows the day.
“Qurate Retail, Inc. announced that Regent a Los Angeles-based investment firm with proven expertise in the retail and apparel sectors, has acquired Zulily, the online retailer delivering a fun shopping experience helping moms discover exclusive daily deals, brand names and on-trend styles, and everyday value on clothing, footwear, homeware essentials and more. Zulily was a wholly owned subsidiary of Qurate Retail, the largest player in video commerce through its QVC and HSN businesses and the owner of Cornerstone Brands. The divestiture aligns with Qurate Retail’s Project Athens transformation strategy articulated in June 2022 to optimize its brand portfolio.”
APRIL 7, 2022 — Original post…
Seattle, Washington-based Zulily, an e-commerce retailer selling clothing, footwear, toys, and home products using a novel computer platform technology that features a continual introduction of new items for sale, has announced the closure of its 800,000-square-foot Bethlehem, Pennsylvania fulfillment center after an operational review.
The closure will impact 504 employees including 439 fulfillment center team members, fulfillment center team leads, and fulfillment center equipment operators. The layoffs will be staged in phases between May 13, 2022, and December 31, 2022.
According to a company spokesperson, "the decision was based on the retailer’s ongoing evaluation of our fulfillment network’s footprint and current and projected needs.”
Zulily's parent company, West Chester, Pennsylvania-based Qurate Retail Group, owns QVC and HSN, which operates fulfillment centers near the Zulily warehouse. In March 2022, Terry Boyle was named president and chief executive officer of Zulily by Qurate to revitalize Zulily operations and profitability.
Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?
