• March 23, 2007

Tweeter Home Entertainment Group says it will shut down 49 stores, eliminating about 20% of its workforce, and refocus its remaining 97 stores on its "Consumer Electronics Playground" concept.

While Tweeter made a name for itself based on high-end service, it has come under increasing pressure, as chains like Best Buy, with its Geek Squad, and Circuit City, with its firedog, have begun providing more services with electronics purchases.

"We will continue to define the Tweeter brand as clearly focused on the mid to high-end consumer," the company says, "clearly delivering an outstanding service experience to our customer."

-- Sarah Mahoney