This year, there have been a record number of retail bankruptcies, but there’s also been a change in the industry. While some of the largest recent retail bankruptcies were preludes to liquidation, lenders and landlords are now working to keep as many stores open as possible after bankruptcy. [More]
retail apocalypse
Get Ready For More Sketchy Seasonal Stores As Retail Vacancies Rise
By 10.3.17
If you’re a fan of those stores that come out of nowhere to sell a lot of Halloween costumes and Christmas ornaments only to be gone without a trace once a holiday passes, we’ve got great news for you! A decade-high level of retail bankruptcies and store closures means there’s still plenty of spaces at your local shopping centers for all manner of seasonal pop-up stores. [More]
Aerosoles Files For Bankruptcy Protection, Plans To Close Most Of Its Stores
By 9.15.17 — Updated: 9.19.17
Aerosoles, maker of comfy women’s shoes, has the same troubles as other mall retailers: more physical stores than it needs, and not enough customers spending money in those stores. And so the company is joining 2017’s most unfortunate corporate club, and filing for bankruptcy. [More]
Here Are The 28 Kmart Stores Closing Later This Year
By 8.24.17
Sears Holdings, the parent company of Kmart and Sears, shared in its most recent quarterly earnings report that it plans to close 28 more Kmart stores. The company saved the closures list for later in the day, and now we have it for you. [More]
Kmart Closing 28 More Stores, Cites Ongoing ‘Transformation’
By 8.24.17
The news in Sears Holdings’ report to investors isn’t as bad as it could be, but it’s devastating if you’re one of the employees or customers of the 28 Kmart stores that are part of a new round of closures that the company announced today. [More]
JCPenney’s Turnaround Has Gone 360 Degrees
By 8.11.17
JCPenney has tried so many turnarounds during this decade, it’s difficult to remember which direction the classic American department store brand is even supposed to be facing. As of now, it’s not headed in the direction of profitability, or paying down its debts. [More]
Why Are New Malls Being Built During A Retail Apocalypse?
By 8.8.17
With a record number of recent retail bankruptcies, and national waves of store closings, how is it that there are more malls being built or expanded? Construction on shopping centers and even on enclosed malls is at its highest level since the summer of 2008. Are real estate developers in denial? [More]
Report: Sears Closing 20 More Stores, Opening One
By 6.22.17 — Updated: 6.27.17
Sears Holdings Corporation, parent company of Sears and Kmart, has recently been on a store-closing spree, seeking to lower its expenses to escape a looming retail death spiral. Today, the company announced the opening of a new appliances and mattresses concept store, while also informing employees that the company plans to close another 20 Sears department stores. [More]
Retail Apocalypse Is Not All Bad News For Surviving Mall Stores
By 6.13.17
With retail chains going bankrupt or closing stores at a record pace, mall landlords have empty slots that need filling. That’s good news for the retailers who remain and are able to negotiate better deals for their mall stores. [More]
Gymboree Files For Bankruptcy, To Close Hundreds Of Stores
By 6.12.17
Retail-watchers have predicted the impending bankruptcy of children’s clothing store Gymboree, and the filing has finally arrived. The chain, which has 1,281 stores between its Gymboree, Gymboree Outlet, Janie and Jack, and Crazy 8 chains, said in a bankruptcy court filing that it plans to close as many as 450 of its stores, but stay in business while cutting its substantial debt. [More]
BCBG Max Azria Avoids Death Sentence, Saved By Owners Of Juicy Couture, Body Glove
By 6.12.17
After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and closing 120 stores, apparel retailer BCBG Max Azria had hopes that some bigger company would swoop in and save them from oblivion. Turns out there were actually two companies willing to rescue BCBG. [More]
Owner of Ann Taylor, dressbarn, Lane Bryant, Maurices Could Close Up To 650 Stores
By 6.9.17
You may not know the name Ascena Retail Group, but you know the stores it owns, like Ann Taylor, dressbarn, Lane Bryant, Maurices, among others. Many of these stores could soon be closing if Ascena follows through on its proposal to shutter as many as 650 locations. [More]
hhgregg Stores Are Down To Mangled Stoves And Fixtures
By 5.25.17
We are in the final days of hhgregg, the bankrupt appliance, electronics, and furniture retailer, conjuring that mixture of sadness and aggressive bargain-hunting that happens at the end of any retail operation. What’s left in the stores? If the one in Cincinnati is any indication, there’s nothing left but appliances that are dented or even mangled. [More]
Report: Gymboree Could Close 350 Stores, Bankruptcy May Come Next Week
By 5.5.17
Kids’ clothing chain Gymboree isn’t failing, exactly, but it’s doing business under a massive debt load. Now “people familiar with the matter” say that the chain is planning to close up to 350 of its 1,300 stores, and that its bankruptcy filing could come as soon as next week. [More]
Gymboree Rumored To Be Prepping For Bankruptcy, So Use Your Gift Cards Now
By 4.11.17
Do you have a Gymboree gift card, or items to return or exchange? Stop putting that shopping trip off, because there are reports that the debt-laden children’s clothing retailer and enrichment class provider might be preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy soon. [More]
hhgregg Stores Are Closing After Bankrupt Retailer Can’t Find Buyer
By 4.10.17 — Updated: 5.9.17
Up until 5 P.M. on Friday, appliance retailer hhgregg was waiting for a buyer to swoop in and save it from liquidation. The appliance, electronics, and furniture retailer could find someone to buy its business as a going concern, keeping at least some of its stores open, or it could liquidate and close. Store closing sales began on Saturday. [More]
Who Do Sears And JCPenney Closures Really Hurt? Malls
By 5.13.14
Back in 1959, Sears started the Homart Development Company. What did Homart develop? Malls! It built and ran malls across the country, malls that were home to Sears stores. Today, Sears is no longer in the mall business, and in many towns, Sears has left the mall as well. That’s terrible news for other mall tenants and for the mall business as a whole. [More]
