According to a study released yesterday by the Americans for Financial Reform, The Center For Popular Democracy, and United For Respect, private equity-owned retailers slashed over half a million jobs even before the pandemic. “They cost nearly 542,000 jobs and closed nearly 18,000 stores by February 2020.” Total job losses have been substantial and widespread with more than 10,000 retail jobs lost in 20 states and more than 30,000 jobs lost in California, Florida, and New York.