Kmart closing will put 52 out of work

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (AP) - If the numbers from one store are an indication, Ohio could be losing more than 300 jobs from the shutdown of six Kmart locations.

The state this week received notice from a regional Kmart executive that 52 employees will be affected by the closing of a store in Springfield in western Ohio. The retailer indicated that none of the laid-off workers will be able to transfer to jobs at other stores.

The Springfield location will close April 8.

Kmart parent company Sears Holdings Corp. said in late December that it would close as many as 120 of its weaker stores. The others in Ohio on the list include two Kmarts in the Cleveland area, two in Toledo and one in Columbus.