store closings

Los Angeles — Forever 21 has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and will begin the process of closing all its U.S. stores. According to Reuters, the U.S. store count is about 350. The Los Angeles-based apparel retailer filed over the weekend in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Forever 21 has entered into a plan support agreement with its lenders to begin the voluntary closure process while continuing to look for sales opportunities of existing U.S. assets. Forever 21 was founded in 1984 and had a footprint …

Deerfield, Ill. and New York City — Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by an entity affiliated with private equity firm Sycamore Partners. The total value of the transaction is $23.7 billion, according to WBA, including an equity value of $10 billion, as well as debt, capital leases and potential future payouts from the opioid and Everly Health Solutions COVID-19 testing settlements. Upon completion of the transaction, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, WBA common stock will be …

Hudson, Ohio — JOANN, the fabric and crafts retailer, has commenced store closing sales at all 790 locations nationwide. The store closing process is being managed by GA Group, a leading asset disposition, valuation, appraisal and real estate services firm with extensive expertise in large-scale retail liquidations, together with Tiger Group as part of a joint venture. “JOANN has been a beloved destination for makers and craft enthusiasts for more than 80 years,” says Tim Shilling of GA Group. “As we begin this store closing process, our priority is to …

New York City — JOANN has announced it will close all of its stores after the fabric and craft retailer was auctioned off to a new ownership group. Earlier this month, JOANN announced the closures of approximately 500 of its more than 800 locations across the United States. The announcement comes after the Hudson, Ohio-based retailer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January — the second time in a year — where JOANN’s remaining assets were put up for auction. Retail liquidator GA Group and JOANN’s term lenders won …

Costa Mesa, Calif. — Liberated Brands, the parent company of several sport, outdoor and lifestyle apparel retailers, has initiated Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, according to court documents filed in Delaware. Liberated Brands’ portfolio of retailers includes Volcom, Billabong, Quiksilver, ROXY, Honolua Surf, RVCA, Beachworks, Becker Surfboards, ZJ Boarding House, Spyder and Boardriders. According to Gordon Brothers, which is providing real estate advisory services to the retailer, Liberated Brands plans to close its 122 stores throughout the country. Gordon Brothers — which earlier this year entered into a sales transaction with Big …

Lexington, Ky. — Tempur Sealy International, Inc. has completed its previously announced acquisition of Mattress Firm Group Inc. (Mattress Firm), the nation’s largest mattress specialty retailer, for approximately $5 billion. Additionally, Tempur Sealy will change its name to Somnigroup International Inc., effective February 18, 2025. Mattress Firm, Dreams and Tempur Sealy will operate as decentralized business units under Somnigroup International. Mattress Firm and Dreams will continue to operate as multi-branded retailers and Tempur Sealy, primarily a manufacturer, will continue to serve third-party retailers as well as Mattress Firm, Dreams and …

Woodcliff Lake, N.J., and Coppell, Texas — In a one-two punch of holiday retail bankruptcy announcements, Party City has issued a formal statement declaring that it will close all its U.S. stores within the coming months, while The Container Store has also formally filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. CNN first reported on Dec. 20, 2024 that Party City, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January 2023 to restructure its debt, would now be liquidating. The New Jersey-based entertainment accessories retailer, which does business as Party City Holdco …

Columbus, Ohio — Big Lots, Inc. has entered into an agreement with an affiliate of Nexus Capital Management LP, pursuant to which Nexus has agreed to acquire substantially all of the company’s assets and ongoing business operations. To facilitate the transaction, the company, together with each of its subsidiaries, initiated voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. During and after this process, Big Lots will continue to serve customers at their nearest store location or online at www.biglots.com. As part of the court-supervised …

Quincy, Mass. — Stop & Shop, a grocery store chain based in the Boston suburb of Quincy, has announced plans to close 32 locations by the end of this year.  Situated throughout the Northeast, the stores — described in a press release as “underperforming” — are located in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island. According to the grocer, the affected stores will shutter on or before Nov. 2. Associates at the locations will be offered other employment within the company.  “As we announced in May, Stop & …