Welcome to the lucrative world of retail bankruptcy

A look at the most expensive Chapter 11 proceedings in retail and the players that have profited from them.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 8, 2021

Tailored Brands seeks $75M lifeline just months after exiting Ch. 11

The owner of Men's Wearhouse is nearing a loan deal as the pandemic continues to weigh on apparel, according to court documents.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 3, 2021

Paper Source files for bankruptcy with plans to sell itself

A year ago, the retailer acquired 30 stores from Papyrus as that gift seller was liquidating. And then the COVID-19 pandemic derailed its growth.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 2, 2021

Belk exits bankruptcy a day after filing for Chapter 11

The department store retailer won speedy approval of a restructuring plan that allowed it to drop $450 million in debt.

By Ben Unglesbee • Updated Feb. 25, 2021

Fry's Electronics abruptly goes out of business, closes stores

The retailer cited a changing industry and the impact of COVID-19 as reasons for closing its doors after nearly four decades. 

By Kaarin Moore • Feb. 24, 2021

Tuesday Morning, Casper, Vince on S&P's latest 'most vulnerable retailers' list

The list includes both traditional brick-and-mortar retailers and digital specialists, which face different sets of financial challenges. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 22, 2021

The running list of 2021 retail bankruptcies

After a rapid leadership shakeup, and amid significant debt, a ransomware attack and the pandemic followed, leading Alex and Ani to file bankruptcy.

By Nami Sumida • Updated June 11, 2021

GNC names new CEO and CFO

Following its acquisition in bankruptcy last year, the retailer has promoted two executives to top positions as it looks to grow and adapt to a new environment.

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 12, 2021

Fearing store closures, mall landlords raise alarm about Sycamore's new version of Ascena

Simon Property Group claimed the recently created retail entity, which includes Ann Taylor and Lane Bryant, is a riskier venture than originally projected.

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 5, 2021

Sears is closing 13 more stores, further shrinking its footprint

The once-storied retailer is running low on stores to close, yet its extended liquidation never seems to end.

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 4, 2021

GameStop's stock exploded, but traffic to its stores is still down

Over 2020, visits to the retailer were down more than 27% at the gaming retailer, according to Placer.ai. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 2, 2021

Do malls have any business getting into retail?

REITs' expanding ownership of troubled retailers complicates an investment setup dependent on steady revenue.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 2, 2021

Toys R Us closes its last 2 US stores just over a year after re-launch

The stores were part of a joint venture with b8ta to re-launch the beloved retail brand and provide a marketing platform for toymakers. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 1, 2021

Express is 'hemorrhaging cash' even as investors gobble up its stock: report

The struggling fashion brand won a financial lifeline in the form of a loan from private equity firm Sycamore Partners. But its sector's travails continue. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 27, 2021

Beauty retailer L'Occitane files Chapter 11

The brand's U.S. unit looks to use bankruptcy to shed stores as the pandemic weighs on brick-and-mortar sales and accelerates a shift to digital. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 26, 2021

Court OKs Christopher & Banks' Ch. 11 sale of e-commerce unit

The bankrupt apparel seller is unloading its online business to an affiliate of Hilco after moving to close its stores.

By Ben Unglesbee • Updated March 1, 2021

Belk to file for bankruptcy after 130 years

Private equity firm Sycamore Partners will retain its majority stake as part of a restructuring deal expected to be complete by the end of February.

By Daphne Howland • Updated Jan. 27, 2021

42% of retailers expect to restructure as industry revenue declines persist, BDO says

While struggles and distress abound, many companies are investing in e-commerce and other channels as the pandemic reshapes retail. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 25, 2021

Talbots downgraded by S&P as pandemic weighs on sales, cash flow

With an older core customer, the private equity-owned apparel seller has been disproportionately affected by COVID-19's spread, analysts said.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 22, 2021

Tuesday Morning CEO to depart

The off-price retailer is looking for a new leader at the top shortly after restructuring in Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 19, 2021

Christopher & Banks files for bankruptcy, could close all stores

The women's apparel seller is among the victims of the pandemic, which dragged down demand among its core customers.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 14, 2021

9 retail trends to watch in 2021

The pandemic will continue to reshape the industry and accelerate trends from consumer preferences to industry norms and structures in the year ahead. 

By Daphne Howland , Ben Unglesbee , Cara Salpini , Kaarin Moore , Caroline Jansen , Maria Monteros • Jan. 12, 2021

Art Van successor Loves Furniture files for bankruptcy

A real estate veteran created a new retailer to fill the void left by the furniture specialist. Things did not go as planned. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 11, 2021

Christopher & Banks inches closer to the brink as it defaults on multiple obligations

Financial distress deepens at the apparel seller as it misses payments on the lease of its headquarters and other financial commitments.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 8, 2021

Family Video to close all stores as last-ditch effort comes up short

The last major video rental chain is throwing in the towel as the pandemic and disruption to Hollywood take their toll. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 6, 2021