In an indication of just how tough times have become for the travel goods retailers in the wake of 9/11, one of the US’s biggest names in the business, Wilsons the Leather Experts, has said it is to close all 135 of its travel outlets.

The announcement was contained in the New York-based company’s statement for the third quarter published yesterday, in which it posted a net loss of $17 million, or 84 cents per diluted share. Total sales were down 5.9% to $132.6 million, with an 8.9% decline being seen in the travel store business. Sales by the company’s non-travel Wilsons Leather stores were down 6.8%.

CEO Joel Waller said the company's focus "belongs squarely on the core Wilsons Leather business", adding that the closure of the chain would result in an after-tax charge of between $28 million to $32 million, or a $1.37 to $1.56 loss per share.

Located in 28 states and Puerto Rico, the travel stores are operated as subsidiaries under the El Portal, Bentley's Luggage and California Luggage Outlet names.