Goodyear to close 92 retail outlets

AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Goodyear Tire & Rubber said it would close 92 of its least profitable U.S. retail outlets, including Just Tires, Allied and Goodyear Auto Centers.

The company would close most of the 92 stores by the end of the year, the company said in a statement.

"Taking this action now will allow us to focus our attention on locations with the best long-term potential," Scott Vogel, vice president of retail operations, North American Tire, said.

"It will help Goodyear to be a stronger competitor," he said.

The company did not announce which locations would close, preferring to first communicate the decision with employees, the statement said.

About 600 jobs, including 100 part-time jobs would be lost, the company said.

Goodyear estimated the closings would reduce annual losses by $9 million.