Behind the Scenes: Going Out of Business

Driving through downtown, it's hard to miss the bright signs: "Store Closing," "Huge Sale." After 86 years, the local sporting goods store is going out of business and all items must go.

The Leader Store in New Jersey is closing after 86 years in business.

(Scott Mayerowitz/ABC News)

It's a scene repeated all across America as we enter the second year of this recession.

For most, it's a depressing sight. But for Nathan W. McKie Sr., it means another job. He's the guy retailers call when they need to liquidate their goods.

McKie travels the country, spending two, three months at a time in some town far away from home helping a store shut its doors.

He offers advice on prices, runs ads to bring in customers and runs a prize system to reward frequent shoppers.

Business has never been better for him.

Retailers had one of their worst holiday shopping seasons on record and analysts expect many foundering stores now to file for bankruptcy. In 2008, 148,000 stores shut down, the largest number since 2001, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers. Another 73,000 locations may shut their doors in the first half of 2009.

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"Our business seems to be good, which is, in many cases, unfortunate for retailers," said Gary Wright, president of G.A. Wright Sales, which employees McKie as a consultant.

Wright's company typically runs 400 to 500 promotional and liquidation sales in a year. He said he now sees more demand for store closings.

"Business was up 20 percent in 2008, and I would imagine it will be up at least that much in 2009," Wright said.

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Store owners and managers know how to sell their goods, he said, but a closing is "a very unique activity.

"It's very intense, it's very problematic," he said. "You have one chance to do it right."