Dressbarn to Close All 650 Stores — Retail Apocalypse Continues
GoLocalProv Business Team
Dressbarn to Close All 650 Stores — Retail Apocalypse Continues
6,800 employees will be impacted.
“The closure of Dressbarn caps a years-long retreat for the brand, which only a few years ago accounted for more than $1 billion in sales. Dressbarn parent Ascena also owns women’s apparel brands Ann Taylor and Loft, among others,” reports the Wall Street Journal.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe Dress Barn closure pushes the number of retail closings to nearly 7,000 and completely eclipses the record number of store closures reported in 2018.
Company officials are seeking to assure customers that in the short-term stores would remain open as usual, and customers can continue to shop on the Dressbarn.com website and use the Dressbarn credit card.
There are no changes to the company’s return, refund, or gift-card policies or loyalty-rewards programs, the company said in a note to customers.
“This decision was difficult, but necessary,” Ascena finance chief Steven Taylor said in a statement.
In a statement to customers the company wrote:
For more than 50 years, we have been proud to be your go-to fashion destination, providing a great selection at tremendous value. From working women to mothers on the go, we have been there for our customers – for their everyday needs as well as their most special occasions. On behalf of the entire Dressbarn team, we would like to express our deepest gratitude for your loyalty and your business.
It has been our pleasure to serve you, making it all the more difficult to let you know that the decision has been made to begin winding down the Dressbarn business. This means that we will eventually be closing all of our stores.
We invite you to shop with us and stock up before we close our doors. We are still offering the same great customer experience, with even better deals and value. More information on store closing sales to come.
We are proud of the important role that Dressbarn has played in the retail industry as a female-founded company offering affordable fashion for the working woman. From our first store, opened in Stamford, Connecticut in 1962, to where the Dressbarn brand has evolved to today, it has been an honor to serve as a fashion destination for so many generations of women.
We appreciate your support, thank you for your loyalty, and look forward to seeing you in one of our stores soon.
2019 Retail Closings -- March
J.Crew, Kohl's, and Nordstrom
Combined the three retailers have already announced the closure of 20 locations in 2019.
Providence Place Mall's Nordstrom location closed at the beginning of the year.
Macy's
The department store is closing 9 stores, including locally the Swansea Mall location.
It was the final hit to the struggling mall which is now closing on March 31.
Lowe's
The big box store is closing 20 stores in 13 states in 2019.
It closed stores in RI like the Woonsocket store a few years ago.
JCPenney
Providence Place Mall's JCPenney closed years ago -- the location is now parking.
In 2019, the retailer has announced the closure of 27 stores.
Abercrombie & Fitch
The company has announced the closure of 40 stores in 2019.
Kmart
The sister company to Sears has closed 50 stores in 2019
Victoria's Secret
The lingerie retailer has announced the closing of 53 stores, but has not named the locations.
Sears
America's retailer has closed 70 stores in 2019.
The future is murky for the company, "The billionaire investor has been at the helm of the new Sears for just weeks, but the retailer is already sparring with the old company left behind in bankruptcy as well as with Stanley Black & Decker Inc.," reported the Wall Street Journal on Thursday.
Gap
The chain is making two moves: closing 250 stores and spinning off the Old Navy brand to a separate company.
Chico's
The women's clothing chain has announced the closure of 250 stores.
Family Dollar Stores
The chain is closing 390 stores across the United States.
Charlotte Russe
The women's fashion chain is closing all 520 stores.
The company is in full liquidation. Two stores in RI have closed -- Providence Place Mall and Warwick Mall.
Gymboree
Announced its second bankruptcy in two years -- the chain of children's stores is closing 800 stores.
Payless ShoeSource
In February announced 2,100 store closings in the United States -- 2,500 globally
