Distressed Retail
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Courtesy of Gabe's
Regional off-pricer Gabe’s under new ownership, avoids bankruptcy
A group of lenders has taken over the retailer, a deal with buy-in from vendors and landlords that has significantly reduced its debt.
By Daphne Howland • Aug. 26, 2025 -
Courtesy of Claire's
Claire’s strikes $140M private equity takeover deal, pauses store liquidations
The bankrupt tween accessories retailer had plans to shutter at least 700 stores — possibly twice that — and now most will remain open.
By Daphne Howland • Aug. 20, 2025 -
Courtesy of The Container Store
As The Container Store cracks down, vendors wonder about its future
Chief Commercial Officer Martin Schumacher recently told suppliers their margins have been “artificially high” and warned that “those days are over.”
By Daphne Howland • Aug. 14, 2025 -
Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
Why Claire’s is closing 700 US stores, mulling liquidation
If a buyer doesn’t come forward, and some analysts doubt any will, the retailer is prepared to wind down its operations in North America.
By Daphne Howland • Aug. 7, 2025 -
Courtesy of Claire's, Hello Kitty
Claire’s files Chapter 11 with 18 stores slated to close
The retailer has struggled since its 2018 bankruptcy and isn’t well positioned for tariffs and other economic headwinds, analysts said.
By Daphne Howland • Aug. 6, 2025 -
Permission granted by At Home
At Home store closures accelerate
The home retailer is conducting closing sales at six new locations, building on the 26 first announced when it filed for bankruptcy in June.
By Dani James • Aug. 1, 2025 -
Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
S&P Global Ratings downgrades Saks, warns latest financing deal is ‘tantamount to a default’
Saks Global emphasized that there’s no default related to its new agreement with bondholders, calling the rating updates “common and expected with transactions like these.”
By Daphne Howland • July 9, 2025 -
Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
Joann supplier going out of business
Design Group Americas, whose portfolio includes sewing pattern brands like McCall’s, Simplicity, Butterick and Vogue, was sold off in May for $1.
By Daphne Howland • July 7, 2025 -
Permission granted by At Home
At Home blames bankruptcy on tariffs, consumer uncertainty
The private equity-owned company’s latest Chapter 11 filing comes at an awkward time for a retailer dependent on holiday sales for 40% of its revenue.
By Daphne Howland • June 16, 2025 -
Franchise Group exits Chapter 11
The company leaves bankruptcy having sold The Vitamin Shoppe, shut down American Freight and restructured its remaining banners under a new entity.
By Howard Ruben • June 11, 2025 -
Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
Joann’s future a mystery as Michaels snaps up IP, private labels
The move comes amid growing interest in fabrics and sewing at Michaels, but it’s not clear what it means for the Joann brand.
By Daphne Howland • June 5, 2025 -
Kaarin Moore/Retail Dive
Saks Global rescues its holiday with $350M in new financing
Without the infusion, the luxury department store company would struggle to pay vendors ahead of the critical season, analysts say.
By Daphne Howland • June 2, 2025 -
Hudson’s Bay to lay off more than 9K employees by mid-June
The move affects about 90% of the workforce, with just over 100 people staying on to help the iconic Canadian department store wind down.
By Daphne Howland • May 28, 2025 -
Canadian mall developer snaps up more than 2 dozen Hudson’s Bay leases
Ruby Liu plans to open "a new modern department store concept," though it’s unclear whether the stores can continue to operate under the iconic brand.
By Daphne Howland • May 27, 2025 -
Rite Aid blames latest bankruptcy on retail operations
The drugstore retailer cites reluctant customers and recalcitrant vendors, but its crippling debt overshadows all.
By Daphne Howland • May 7, 2025 -
Permission granted by Rite Aid
Rite Aid files for bankruptcy 8 months after exiting Chapter 11
The drugstore retailer is in talks to sell itself, but could liquidate its entire footprint if no buyers emerge.
By Daphne Howland • Updated May 6, 2025 -
Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
Burlington snags 45 of Joann’s store leases out of bankruptcy
The off-price retailer is taking advantage of the craft company’s closure as new shopping center growth diminishes.
By Dani James • April 30, 2025 -
Permission granted by Liza Amlani, Retail Strategy Group
Hudson’s Bay gives up on final 7 stores, including Canada’s last Saks 5th Avenue location
The liquidation is the end of a retailer whose roots date to the 1600s, and leaves a big gap for many brands and their Canadian customers.
By Daphne Howland • April 25, 2025 -
Courtesy of The Container Store
The Container Store lays off 2% of workforce, pauses capital projects
The retailer, which exited bankruptcy in the new year, is working on a turnaround with less debt and a more streamlined operation.
By Daphne Howland • April 22, 2025 -
Forever 21 creditors probe IP sale to Authentic Brands Group
The brand management firm quietly took full ownership of the retailer's trademarks and intellectual property licenses some time in the last five years.
By Daphne Howland • April 15, 2025 -
Courtesy of Rite Aid
The Weekly Closeout: JD Sports now ‘bigger than Foot Locker’ and is Rite Aid mulling another bankruptcy?
JD Sports said it has more market share in North America than its rival retailer, while the drugstore is reportedly contemplating refiling.
By Retail Dive Staff • April 11, 2025 -
Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
ColumnThe Weekly Closeout: Hudson’s Bay hunts for a buyer and tariffs hit apparel hard
The department store is soliciting offers for part or all of its business. Meanwhile, one analyst said new tariffs put “all 2025 guidance at risk.”
By Retail Dive Staff • April 4, 2025 -
Hudson’s Bay to eliminate 200 corporate roles
Impacted employees will have their last day on Friday, while the company restructures and undergoes store liquidations.
By Kaarin Moore • April 1, 2025 -
The Container Store CEO Satish Malhotra is out
The retailer begins its post-bankruptcy turnaround with much less debt, under leadership steeped in operations and transformation strategies.
By Daphne Howland • March 20, 2025 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Forever 21 blames latest bankruptcy on competition from Temu, Shein
The fast-fashion retailer made it through the pandemic but struggled against cheap duty-free goods from China, as inflation strained consumers.
By Daphne Howland • March 17, 2025
