Another major national retailer plans to close hundreds of stores
The national retail struggle continues with a major chain reportedly planning to close hundreds of locations as it navigates its second bankruptcy.
The fast-fashion store will close at least 200 locations as part of a bankruptcy process expected to begin next month, Bloomberg reported. Citing those with knowledge of the process, Bloomberg said the chain was seeking a buyer for the retailer’s remaining stores. If a buyer isn’t found, the entire 350-store chain could be liquidated.
“Forever 21’s operating company, which is the brand licensee in the U.S., continues to explore strategic options, including a potential sale, while also reducing costs and optimizing its store footprint,” a representative for Forever 21’s operations owner Catalyst Brands wrote in an email to Financial Post. “The efforts are ongoing and no final decisions regarding the outcome of the process have been made.”
At its peak, Forever 21 operated more than 500 locations in the U.S. and 800 worldwide.
The bankruptcy would be Forever 21’s second, following the first in 2019.
The closures would be the latest in a series of high-profile issues involving national retailers. Earlier this month, fabric and craft chain JOANN announced it was closing 500 stores as part of its bankruptcy proceedings and, earlier in the year, Big Lots said it would shutter hundreds of its locations.