Reader Jessica S. writes in with this bargain:

Hi

I don’t know that news has spread, but I just wanted to let you know that about a week ago, Talbots announced that by September or October of ’08 they will be closing ALL of the Talbots Kids locations. The good news? Closeout sales are the best! 30 to 50% off retail, sometimes more. The bad news? All Sales Are Final. Four worst words in retail, in my opinion. The closings are going to be spaced through the year, with the smaller, less productive stores going first. There wasn’t any mention of the outlets closing, but with no new product coming in, one would assume that they would be closing too, probably later in the year.