Whatever?
OK.
The customers may or may not abandon the stores. You probably have less insight into that than the new owner does.
In any case, it’s their call. They’re the ones with the money at risk.
You are correct, it is their money at risk. So far it looks like their risk will not be paying off.
I guess the free market is only good when the “right” people win.
In any case, it’s their call. They’re the ones with the money at risk.
Obviously, you're unclear on the process of a hostile takeover, which is all about Other Peoples' Money. There are no "new owners". Executives have zero dollars at risk, except what they plan to steal in the process.
The owners are the stockholders, who are mostly unaware of what is happening. There is usually a board of directors, usually bought off in advance, (or 50% +1), and promised a bit more after their "service" in voting for the executive switch.
The stockholders get the shaft, as can be seen by the empty shelves and empty stores. These are the owners.
The employees get the shaft.
The executives and the directors have ZERO capital at risk. They can liquidate the real estate, split the proceeds as they see fit to vote. These people are NOT owners. They are thieves.