Sequential Brands files for bankruptcy

After crumpling under its debt load, the licensing specialist is looking to sell off its remaining brands in Chapter 11.

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 31, 2021

Months after IPO, Digital Brands Group listed among S&P's most vulnerable retailers

The company is looking to roll up apparel brands and create leverage out of scale. But it's a long way from being profitable. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 30, 2021

Struggling Sequential Brands unloads Ellen Tracy, Caribbean Joe for $20M

The brand specialist is trying to pay down debt and stave off bankruptcy with asset sales. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 9, 2021

Global Brands' US business files for bankruptcy

The apparel maker owes millions of dollars in royalty money to brand owners. In Ch. 11, the company aims to sell itself off piecemeal. 

By Ben Unglesbee • July 30, 2021

Reporter's Notebook: Where do Kmart's New York City customers go now?

The once dominant, now struggling retailer abruptly closed its Astor Place location, frustrating the neighborhood: "This is bringing me to Amazon."

By Daphne Howland • July 22, 2021

Neiman Marcus says there's no plan to sell Bergdorf Goodman

The department store, which has owned the storied Manhattan retailer for 50 years, pushed back against details in a New York Post report last week.

By Daphne Howland • July 6, 2021

Dressbarn owner snaps up British luxury label Ralph & Russo

Retail Ecommerce Ventures, whose roster of bankrupt retailers has swelled since its founding two years ago, revives legacy brands online.

By Daphne Howland • July 2, 2021

Report: Store closures decline for the first time in 2021

According to Coresight Research, 5.7% fewer stores have closed this year so far than during the same time in 2020. 

By Ben Unglesbee • June 28, 2021

Citing COVID-19, mall REIT Washington Prime Group lands in bankruptcy court

But like most of the retailers filing under Chapter 11 in the past several months, the company's woes predate the pandemic.

By Daphne Howland • June 14, 2021

Iconix Brands to be acquired by private equity firm

Lancer Capital has agreed to buy the brand aggregator, which has been searching for a solution to its debt load for years. 

By Ben Unglesbee • June 14, 2021

Alex and Ani files for bankruptcy, hoping for a sale

Leadership turmoil and significant debt were hobbling the charm bracelet maker. Then last year came a ransomware attack and the pandemic.

By Daphne Howland • June 10, 2021

J. Jill rebounds from pandemic doldrums with 42% sales growth

Sales, margins and operating profit are up big time at the women's apparel seller, which had a close brush with bankruptcy last year. 

By Ben Unglesbee • June 9, 2021

Is the never-ending Sears saga finally reaching its closing chapters?

Most of what is left of the one-time empire is a footprint smaller than many regional retailers, and a whole lot of legal bills.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 1, 2021

Turmoil at Sequential Brands amid late financials, strategic review

Since the fall, the company has lost a CEO and an executive chairman, and has tried to sell off assets while struggling to pay its debts.

By Ben Unglesbee • May 28, 2021

The Backroom: A former Blockbuster insider chronicles its many blunders

If you think Blockbuster is merely a story about technology, take a second look. Former franchisee Alan Payne discusses its long-deteriorating operations. 

By Ben Unglesbee • May 27, 2021

Authentic Brands eyeing possible IPO: Bloomberg

A possible deal to go public could fetch a $10 billion value for the company as it buys up retail brands out of bankruptcy and distress.

By Ben Unglesbee • May 25, 2021

Tuesday Morning returning to Nasdaq after delisting

The off-price retailer is back on a major market after its Chapter 11 and restructuring, and is projecting optimism about the future. 

By Ben Unglesbee • May 24, 2021

Seeking a post-bankruptcy rebound, Tuesday Morning adds former Burlington execs to C-suite

The off-price retailer brought in Fred Hand as CEO and Marc Katz as interm CFO as it tries to stabalize and grow in the sector. 

By Ben Unglesbee • May 21, 2021

Centric Brands adds to exec ranks, board as it eyes post-bankruptcy growth

The licensing specialist has brought in a former Pandora executive and past president of Lord & Taylor to help lead it in a new era. 

By Ben Unglesbee • May 12, 2021

Paper Source to be acquired in Ch. 11 by owner of Barnes & Noble

Elliott Investment Management emerged as the successful bidder for the gift specialist and sees it as "highly complementary" to the book retailer.

By Ben Unglesbee • May 11, 2021

J.C. Penney cuts 650 jobs under new owners

The layoffs came after an operational review by Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management. 

By Ben Unglesbee • May 6, 2021

David's Bridal takes on $70M loan as it preps for the return of weddings

After last year's slump in ceremonies, the retailer is raising capital to speed up its growth and ride the anticipated wave as couples return to the aisle. 

By Ben Unglesbee • May 4, 2021

What's next for Destination XL after last year's calamity in menswear?

The big-and-tall specialist's sales shrank by nearly a third in 2020 as offices went dark and events were nixed. Executives discuss how they navigated the turmoil.

By Ben Unglesbee • May 4, 2021

The husk of Sears Holdings is still in bankruptcy — and $81M in the hole

After a massively expensive Ch. 11, what's left of the company doesn't have enough cash to pay its professionals and outstanding vendor claims.

By Ben Unglesbee • April 28, 2021

Hardest hit: Who is still at risk after last year's retail tribulations?

Party City, Nordstrom, Macy's, GameStop and others still have weak scores on measures of financial health, according to RapidRatings data.

By Ben Unglesbee • April 13, 2021