Stores Hurt by East Coast Snowstorm

The winter storm that dropped 2 feet of snow in many parts of the East came as another blow to struggling retailers, many of whom spent heavily advertising Presidents Day sales.

Many retailers from Virginia to Massachusetts closed stores, as snow-covered roads made it difficult for employees to get to work and state officials urged people to stay home.

“In many areas of the country, stores have just completely shut down,” said Ellen Tolley, a spokeswoman for the National Retail Federation. “Not only do they lose in sales, but they also lose in the advertising money they’ve spent.”