According to the Russell 3000 index, there are 12 retailers that operate fewer store locations today than two years ago. The study notes that closings are not always bad news--Build-A-Bear has reduced store count by 11.4 percent but has driven more profit through fewer stores. But sometimes, it is a sign of worse times to come. Sears, which made the top of the list for fastest shrinking retailer, now has 2,302 stores, down 40 percent. Story
