Post Holiday Planned Layoffs Surge

Chicago, IL, Feb. 6, 2014 -- Announced job cuts surged in January as retailers cut their staffs after weak holiday sales, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

Announced layoffs rose to 45,000, up from about 31,000 in December, which was a 13-year low.

The firm said the job cuts in the retail sector were inevitable.