Distressed Retail

  • On the brown tile floor of an indoor soccer pitch, a white scuffed up gear bag with the word PUMA sits behind a pair of blue and white soccer cleats. One cleat leans against a soccer ball.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Puma
    Image attribution tooltip
    Column

    The Weekly Closeout: Puma eyes ‘efficiency program,’ Adidas could cut jobs

    Puma wants to improve operations and cut costs in the name of profitability, while Adidas said its operating model is too complex.

    By Retail Dive Staff • Jan. 24, 2025
  • The storefront of Books Inc. in Alameda, California.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Books Inc.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Books Inc. files for Chapter 11

    The California-based retailer said the pandemic kicked off years of falling revenue and rising costs. It will close at least one store but stay in business.

    By • Jan. 23, 2025
  • The entrance to a mall, with a white pickup truck parked to the right. Explore the Trendline➔
    Image attribution tooltip
    "Dartmouth Mall, Dartmouth, Massachusetts" by JJBers is licensed under CC BY 2.0
    Image attribution tooltip
    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from Retail Dive

    Though some of the problems of the pandemic have waned, retail continues to reel from C-suite turnover, changes in ecommerce and reassessment of DEI policies.  

    By Retail Dive staff
  • tba
    Image attribution tooltip
    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Joann files for bankruptcy for the second time in a year

    The crafts retailer was forced back into Chapter 11 by the wider retail environment and its own financial and inventory woes, the company said.

    By • Jan. 15, 2025
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Yujin Kim/Retail Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    These retailers could file for bankruptcy in 2025

    From At Home to Guitar Center, here’s who’s most at risk in the year ahead.

    By • Updated Jan. 18, 2025
  • A photo of a Big Lots storefront.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Big Lots
    Image attribution tooltip
    Column

    The Weekly Closeout: Ulta’s future and Big Lots’ store-saving deal

    The beauty retailer named a new CEO while Big Lots closed on a sale agreement that will enable it to keep hundreds of stores open.

    By Retail Dive Staff • Jan. 10, 2025
  • A shopper holds multiple shopping bags.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Leon Neal via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    8 retail trends to watch in 2025

    Each year brings unique headwinds and tailwinds. From increased attention on DEI efforts to the shifting nature of DTC, this is what we’ll be following in 2025.

    By Retail Dive Staff • Jan. 7, 2025
  • A Big Lots storefront with a cloudy gray sky
    Image attribution tooltip
    Nate Delesline III/Retail Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Big Lots’ new deal could keep up to 400 stores open

    Under the transaction, Variety Wholesalers would acquire at least 200 stores and up to two distribution centers, saving jobs in the process.

    By • Dec. 30, 2024
  • store front of Party City
    Image attribution tooltip
    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Party City to close all stores in bankruptcy

    About 14 months after emerging from Chapter 11, the retailer finds itself in bankruptcy court once again. This time, it’s liquidating.

    By • Dec. 23, 2024
  • An organized closet display featuring The Container Store's "Custom Spaces" branding.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of The Container Store
    Image attribution tooltip

    The Container Store files for bankruptcy, but it’s business as usual

    Thanks to an agreement with most of its term loan lenders, the retailer will keep its stores and website open and emerge as a private company.

    By • Dec. 23, 2024
  • A Big Lots storefront with a cloudy gray sky
    Image attribution tooltip
    Nate Delesline III/Retail Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Big Lots to start going-out-of-business sales

    The move comes as the company lays off over 500 employees at its corporate headquarters.

    By • Dec. 20, 2024
  • A blue 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Amazon
    Image attribution tooltip
    Column

    The Weekly Closeout: Adidas headquarters searched, Amazon starts selling cars

    The activewear brand is under investigation for tax and customs compliance, while the e-commerce giant is offering Hyundai cars through Amazon Autos.

    By Retail Dive Staff • Dec. 13, 2024
  • foxtrot
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Foxtrot
    Image attribution tooltip

    Outfox Hospitality faces $3.8M in labor penalties

    The Illinois Department of Labor seeks back wages from the bankrupt retailer for failing to give workers 60 days’ notice before they were laid off.

    By Jessica Loder • Dec. 11, 2024
  • A white storefront with a blue Container Store logo on it.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of The Container Store
    Image attribution tooltip

    NYSE moves to delist The Container Store

    The home retailer has made several moves this year to strengthen its financial position as consumer reticence around discretionary spending persists.

    By • Dec. 10, 2024
  • Puffy clouds and green trees frame a suburban department store building.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Under new ownership, Lord & Taylor revives old logo and comeback dreams

    The chief strategy officer at Regal Brands Global, which now runs the venerable department store, talks to Retail Dive about what comes next.

    By • Dec. 10, 2024
  • A Tupperware display at Target.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kaarin Moore/Retail Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Lender group completes acquisition of Tupperware’s assets

    Party Products LLC — made up of Stonehill Capital Management and Alden Global Capital — has acquired the company’s brand name and other assets.

    By Howard Ruben • Dec. 4, 2024
  • A white storefront with a blue Container Store logo on it.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of The Container Store
    Image attribution tooltip

    Beyond’s $40M investment in The Container Store may be off

    The Container Store’s failure to reach a satisfactory agreement with lenders puts their deal at risk, both retailers warned this week.

    By • Nov. 21, 2024
  • The entrance to a downtown mall, with people walking by.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Auction of struggling San Francisco Centre mall postponed

    The property, previously anchored by a Nordstrom flagship that left last year and now more than $625 million in default, was set to be sold Thursday.

    By • Nov. 18, 2024
  • A store with 50% off sale signs.
    Image attribution tooltip
    "The Vitamin Shoppe Shop Store" by Mike Mozart is licensed under CC BY 2.0
    Image attribution tooltip

    Vitamin Shoppe owner files for bankruptcy

    Franchise Group, which also runs Pet Supplies Plus and Buddy’s Home Furnishings, will shut down American Freight starting this week.

    By • Nov. 4, 2024
  • Walgreens revamps its app.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Walgreens
    Image attribution tooltip

    Walgreens to lay off over 250 people

    The decision regarding the support center roles follows a recent announcement that the pharmacy retailer plans to close 1,200 stores over the next three years.

    By • Oct. 31, 2024
  • A white storefront with a blue Container Store logo on it.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of The Container Store
    Image attribution tooltip

    The Container Store could file bankruptcy if Beyond equity deal fails

    Despite facing several challenges, turnaround efforts are gaining momentum, CEO Satish Malhotra said.

    By • Oct. 30, 2024
  • A line of Esprit stores in an airport terminal have closed steel gates.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Andreas Rentz via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Esprit US subsidiaries file for bankruptcy

    The Chapter 7 notices come in the wake of more than a dozen similar filings from Esprit Holdings affiliates around the world.

    By Lara Ewen • Oct. 30, 2024
  • foxtrot
    Image attribution tooltip
    Brett Dworski/Retail Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    5 retail horror stories of 2024

    From Youthforia’s problematic foundation shade range to Foxtrot’s abrupt shuttering, retailers have been the subject of some scary stories.

    By • Oct. 29, 2024
  • Tupperware bowl full of fruit on a table.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Tupperware
    Image attribution tooltip

    Lender group to buy Tupperware out of bankruptcy

    The lenders, which include Stonehill Capital Management Partners and Alden Global Capital, are offering $63.8 million in debt relief and about $23.5 million in cash.

    By • Oct. 23, 2024
  • A new BuyBuy Baby storefront in Iselin, New Jersey
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by BuyBuy Baby
    Image attribution tooltip

    BuyBuy Baby to close all stores less than a year after relaunch

    The company said the move will allow it to transform "into a digital-first brand, focusing all our energy on providing an exceptional online shopping experience."

    By • Oct. 18, 2024
  • A True Value freight truck.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by True Value
    Image attribution tooltip

    True Value files for Chapter 11

    The 75-year-old brand, whose stores are largely excluded from the bankruptcy, is seeking court approval to sell itself to rival Do it Best for $153 million.

    By • Oct. 15, 2024