PARKERSBURG -Coldwater Creek is consolidating its call center activities in Parkersburg at a center in Idaho, according to officials.
Bobbi Earle, an investor relations specialist with Coldwater Creek, said the call center at the Parkersburg Business Park will be consolidated with another at Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The company's east coast distribution center is located at the business park.
"Over the past three years, Coldwater Creek has experienced an increase in online ordering by its customers, similar to other retailers. In an effort to respond to this trend and improve efficiencies within the company, Coldwater Creek is consolidating its call center activities to one location in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho," Earle said in a statement.
The Parkersburg location will remain the company's distribution center and all current call center employees have been offered new positions at that location within the company," she said.
Cam Huffman, executive director of the Wood County Economic Development Authority, downplayed the news.
"I don't think it is that big of a deal," he said.
Huffman said he spoke with Coldwater representatives, noting there were no job losses. Call center employees (about 15 of them) were moved into the distribution center and maintained the same rate of pay. Earle stated many agents were already working elsewhere in the distribution center when peak season ended last December.
Huffman also said Coldwater Creek is not dismantling its Parkersburg call center. He said the Parkersburg call center is an overflow extension for Idaho. According to Huffman said it is not uncommon for the company vice presidents to field calls or work in the distribution center filling orders.
"Even the plant manager will go out and pack boxes and field phone call. They do all jobs," he said.
"They are a retail business," he said. "They move people where they see fit."
"The agents have been moved to other positions," Earle stated. "The call center will remain available for use should internet shopping trends change, as well as should the need arise for more call center agents during the holiday season."
