Nothing lasts forever – not even Forever 21.
The clothing retailer that was once a centerpiece in malls across America filed for bankruptcy again and plans to close its remaining locations for good.
In a statement, the company said it can’t compete with foreign fast fashion retailers.
Forever 21 said its locations outside of the U.S. will remain open.
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“While we have evaluated all options to best position the Company for the future, we have been unable to find a sustainable path forward, given competition from foreign fast fashion companies, which have been able to take advantage of the de minimis exemption to undercut our brand on pricing and margin, as well as rising costs, economic challenges impacting our core customers, and evolving consumer trends,” said Brad Sell, the company’s chief financial officer, in a statement.
The irony is that Forever 21 introduced a generation to fast fashion.
Opening in 1984 in California, Forever 21 became a mall staple in the 2000s. It offered a more affordable alternative to expensive brands like Abercrombie & Fitch and quickly turned trends into attainable merchandise.
But the clothing brand hasn’t been able to keep up with the era of digital influence on consumers and couldn’t quite make the successful jump to e-commerce.
Its website will also continue to operate as it winds down business.
SteamDelta on March 17th, 2025 at 16:23 UTC »
Owned by Authentic Brands, who would be quite glad once it's shuttered for good. They'll just make cheap clothes with the Forever 21 label and sell it to other stores.
They also bought and shuttered Sports Illustrated just so they'd have the naming rights for Sports Illustrated merchandise.
They also own a large part of JCPenney whom they force to buy all the Authentic Brands licensed merchandise and clothing.
That's all they do they buy naming rights to shuttered brands (air walk shoes) then license it to people or force their other children companies to buy it from themselves.
nyrangers30 on March 17th, 2025 at 16:17 UTC »
How many times has this company filed for bankruptcy?
Sandee1997 on March 17th, 2025 at 16:17 UTC »
“I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling 22!”