Hanover Direct Closes Another Call Center

Multititle cataloger Hanover Direct is shutting down its call center in Hanover, PA, come April, resulting in layoffs for 105 workers.

Frank Smolensky, director of human resources for Hanover Direct, confirmed that the call center is closing, but declined to comment further. In a report in the (Harrisburg PA) Patriot-News he was quoted as saying: "We are forced, along with the rest of the country, to make some really difficult decisions, based on the economy.”

According to published reports, the Weehawken, NJ-based company is scaling back operations due to rising costs and a slowdown in sales.

About 65 back office workers are reportedly keeping their jobs and will continue to report to the facility. This brings Hanover Direct down to one call center in Wisconsin.

A source close to Multichannel Merchant says Hanover Direct is also reducing labor in its warehouse facilities by not refilling positions vacated through attrition.

Last April Hanover Direct laid off about 100 employees, including workers in its Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia and Wisconsin offices. And in 2007, it closed its call center in York, PA, resulting in layoffs for about 110 employees. Those employees were given the opportunity to work at the Hanover location.

Hanover Direct sells apparel, home furnishings and gifts. Its catalogs include Domestications, The Company Store, Silhouettes, International Male and Undergear.