Coldwater Creek consolidates job duties

SANDPOINT, ID — Coldwater Creek, a retailer with catalog, Internet and store operations, has laid off about 25 employees at its headquarters here as a direct result of consolidating job responsibilities, said chairman and ceo Dennis Pence.

"While we regret the necessity for this, we believe these actions, along with other improvements in our cost structure, are prudent and sensible given the uncertain business climate for the retail sector," he said.

The cuts were across the board, said David Gunter, director of corporate communications, and included the areas of finance, marketing, retail, advertising and merchandising. "The positions affected were ones where management felt there was a duplication of effort."

The retailer eliminated 220 jobs earlier this year, most of which were due to the closing of the distribution center here.