More Than 2,200 Company Layoffs Announced In CT In 2026, As Economic Woes Continue To Bite

Several Connecticut employers have announced a total of more than 2,000 layoffs in 2026, with job cuts spanning retail distribution, insurance, manufacturing, health science, media and sports broadcasting operations.

The largest single layoff notice came from Macy’s, which said it will close its Cheshire fulfillment center buildings at 475 Knotter Drive and 181 West Johnson Ave., eliminating 993 full- and part-time jobs. The layoffs were scheduled to take effect between March and August, and a small number of workers will remain into 2027 for decommissioning work, according to a WARN notice. Two Bloomingdale’s Photo Studio employees tied to the Cheshire operation are also affected.

Macy’s also announced another round of South Windsor cuts tied to its Store Delivery Center and Customer Returns Center operations at 301 Governors Highway. A total of 57 additional employees were scheduled to be laid off by March 14, and that the latest notice confirmed the South Windsor building and all operations would close. That followed an earlier Macy’s Backstage shutdown at the same site that eliminated 106 jobs.

The insurance sector also saw major reductions. CVS Health, the corporate operator of Hartford-based Aetna, notified state and city officials that 313 employees assigned to Aetna’s Hartford office would be laid off between April 3 and July 31. A total of 17 of the affected employees live in Connecticut and work remotely. The company cited operational changes in CVS Health Aetna’s Small Group business segment.

Talcott Resolution Life, Inc. also filed notice of layoffs in Hartford. The financial services and insurance company said it would permanently eliminate 101 jobs at One American Row as part of a closure of certain operations and IT functions. The layoffs were scheduled for April 24, and the company said the action was expected to be permanent.

In manufacturing, Stanley Black & Decker said it would permanently close its New Britain manufacturing facility at 600 Myrtle St. and terminate 300 employees. Most workers were scheduled to be laid off between May 4 and May 18, with additional waves continuing into 2027. The company cited declining demand for single-sided tape measures, which are predominantly made at the New Britain site.

Bristol has also been hit by planned closures. IDEX Health & Science LLC said it will close its operations at 110 Halcyon Dr., laying off 73 employees beginning around July 15 and ceasing operations around Oct. 30. The company said all positions at the Bristol facility will be eliminated.

Another Bristol company, Metallics Inc., previously notified the state that it would close local operations by Sept. 30, 2026, eliminating 33 positions. The layoffs were expected to begin May 1 and continue in waves.

In Fairfield, Main Street Sports Group, the Southport-based parent company of the broadcast arm of FanDuel Sports Network, told state officials it would shut down in April and lay off all 44 employees. The decision followed the loss of multiple Major League Baseball broadcast contracts.

ESPN, based in Bristol, was also reported to be bracing for another round of layoffs. About 30 jobs were expected to be cut, citing national reporting, but when the layoffs would begin was not disclosed.

According to a WARN notice sent Thursday to the Connecticut Department of Labor, the Guida-Seibert Dairy Company plans to close its facility, located at 433 Park Street.

"This entire plant closure of the New Britain Facility is expected to be permanent," Josh Gravalec, the company's human resources manager, wrote in the WARN notice. "The employment of employees at the New Britain Facility will be terminated in multiple successive phases." A total of 205 employees will be impacted.

Layoffs list

• Macy’s Cheshire Fulfillment Center, Cheshire: 993
• Macy’s Store Delivery Center and Customer Returns Center Operations, South Windsor: 57
• Macy’s Backstage operation, South Windsor: 106
• CVS Health/Aetna, Hartford-assigned workers: 313 total, including 17 Connecticut residents
• Talcott Resolution Life, Hartford: 101
• Stanley Black & Decker, New Britain: 300
• IDEX Health & Science, Bristol: 73
• Metallics Inc., Bristol: 33
• Main Street Sports Group, Southport: 44
• ESPN, Bristol: about 30
• Guida-Seibert Dairy Company, New Britain: 205

Total: 2,255