38 global retailers that have shut up shop due to the pandemic – from Topshop to J Crew

A look at some of the brands that have fallen victim to the pandemic

Topshop and Topman: Part of Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia Group, these stalwarts of the British high street might be being thrown a last-minute reprieve if UK e-tailer Asos buys them out. However, as Asos is strictly online, the absorption would result in mass job losses and store closures. Bloomberg

Debenhams: Another part of Arcadia, although Debenhams can trace its heritage back to 1778, its storied history couldn’t save the department store. UK e-tailer boohoo has stepped in to buy it, but all UK stores will close with 12,000 jobs lost. Bloomberg

The Modist: The London and Dubai-based e-tailer — which specialised in modest fashion — closed in April last year after less than three years of trading. 'Many businesses are going through very difficult times, and that includes our young business,' said founder Ghizlan Guenez. 'At this stage, our focus is on the wellbeing of our employees.' Courtesy The Modist

John Varvatos: The US fashion label filed for bankruptcy in May last year and was auctioned off in a deal worth around $97 million, amid reports the founder, Varvatos, would step down from the company. AFP

Century 21: The US store, which sold designer apparel, footwear, cosmetics and home decor filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, closing all 13 locations in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida. Co-chief executive Raymond Gindi told ‘Fox 5 New York’ the blame lay with their insurance company having 'turned their backs on us at this most critical time.' Bloomberg

Godiva: The chocolate company plans to close all of its US locations by the end of March, according to 'USA Today'. However, the brand will still be available to buy online or at other stores, with the Belgium-based company blaming 'changes in consumers’ shopping behaviour.' Bloomberg

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas: The spa chain, which had rebranded to Mynd Spa & Salon, declared bankruptcy in March 2020, just a few days after it closed all its US locations due to Covid-19 restrictions. Getty Images

Lord & Taylor: The almost 200-year-old US department store shuttered all 38 of its stores last year filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. AFP

JC Penney: The department store chain has already seen some of its locations across the US be snapped up by property developers, following its May 2020 bankruptcy filing. Bloomberg

Chuck E Cheese: With 559 Chuck E Cheese units and 122 Peter Piper Pizza locations in 47 states and 15 countries and territories, the family favourite restaurant and entertainment venue was among the first outlets to file for bankruptcy after the pandemic hit last year. However, this week, the parent company CEC Entertainment said it had removed roughly $705 million in debt from its balance sheet. AFP

Laura Ashley: The traditional British fashion retailer was bought out of administration by American restructuring company Gordon Brothers, although all the high street stores remain closed. Reuters

Monsoon: The British high street clothing and accessories store went into administration in June last year, and was promptly bought out by its founder Peter Simon. A total of 35 stores are expected to close altogether, with 162 remaining. PA

Miss Selfridge: Part of Green’s Arcadia Group, these stalwarts of the British high street might be being thrown a last-minute reprieve if UK e-tailer Asos buys them out. Bloomberg

New York & Company: The clothing brand, which had collaborated on collections with the likes of Eva Mendes and Gabrielle Union closed all aspects of its business, including e-commerce and brick and mortar stores late last year. Sipa

Diane von Furstenberg: The New York label laid off 75 per cent of its 400 staff and closed 18 of its 19 stores. According to a report in ‘Business of Fashion’ the label will pivot to a 'digital-only, China-focused' business model. The DVF store in New York’s Meatpacking District, where the offices are and von Furstenberg lives, will be the only outlet that remains. Bloomberg

Long Tall Sally: The women’s specialty retailer announced its permanent closure in June 2020, following up by shuttering its e-commerce site a couple of months later. Bloomberg

Lane Bryant: The women’s clothing brand is part of the Ascena Retail Group in the US, which announced last year that it had secured restructuring support while also filing Chapter 11 petitions. Sipa

Le Pain Quotidien: The casual dining bakery chain suffered different fates in the US and UK. In America, it announced the closure of all 98 locations, later stating that 35 stores may reopen following a partial buyout by Aurify Brands. In the UK, the 26-outlet chain was sold to BrunchCo 21 which entered into a deal to try and keep 16 open. Bloomberg

Bella Italia: The Casual Dining Group, the parent company of both the Cafe Rouge and Bella Italia dining chains, permanently closed 91 of its 250 locations, resulting in 1,900 jobs lost. Bloomberg

True Religion: The designer denim brand filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in three years last year, according to ‘Forbes’. Bloomberg

Brooks Brothers: The US brand which was founded in 1818 and calls itself 'the country’s oldest clothing retailer' filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June 2020. Bloomberg

Victoria’s Secret: The undergarments store, which had been accused of falling out of step with modern trends, planned to close 250 stores in the US and Canada in 2020. The UK arm of the retailer, where there are 25 stores, fell into administration in June. AFP

M&Co: The low-price clothing retailer, confirmed back in August that it would be closing 47 stores with the loss of 381 jobs as part of a major restructure. Getty Images

DW Sports: The UK sportswear and gym retailer which also owns Fitness First, said its income was decimated by the government-enforced closure of gyms and stores because of the lockdown. The company is set to close their 75-outlet retail presence for good. Reuters

Antler: The luxury luggage retailer, which was founded in 1914, went into administration as a result of the pandemic. The company operates 18 retail stores and one concession outlet, in addition to selling via their website, Amazon and wholesale to several large retail chains across the UK. Reuters

Warehouse: The group behind UK fashion retailers Oasis and Warehouse went into administration in April 2020, with auditing and advisory firm Deloitte saying all stores will close indefinitely and online sales will be halted. Reuters

Ann Taylor: The women’s clothing brand is part of the US Ascena Retail Group, which announced last year that it had secured restructuring support while also filing Chapter 11 petitions. Bloomberg

Lucky Brand: The LA-based denim brand filed for bankruptcy, after it struggled to move from brick and mortar stores to online. The ‘Wall Street Journal’ reported that the brand experienced 'month-over-month decline in revenue of about 50 per cent' during the pandemic. Bloomberg

Neiman Marcus: The US department store, along with Bergdorf Goodman, which was owned by the same parent company, permanently closed its 43 stores after filing for bankruptcy, affecting more than 14,000 employees. Bloomberg

Jaeger UK: clothing store Jaeger (76 stores and concessions) is part of the UK’s Edinburgh Woollen Mill (EWM) Group, which went into administration in November last year. Around 4,700 jobs are at risk across the whole group. Bloomberg

Oasis: The group behind both UK fashion retailers Oasis and Warehouse went into administration in April 2020, with auditing and advisory firm Deloitte saying all stores will close indefinitely and online sales will be halted. Bloomberg

Aldo: In the UK, the Canadian footwear brand went into administration last May. Bloomberg

Cafe Rouge: The Casual Dining Group, the parent company of both the Cafe Rouge and Bella Italia dining chains, permanently closed 91 of its 250 locations, resulting in 1,900 jobs lost. Bloomberg

California Pizza Kitchen: The globally franchised casual dining chain filed for voluntary Chapter 11 protection in the US last year, citing 'the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and lease related challenges with our landlords.' AFP

Cath Kidston: The retro fashion chain will not reopen any of its stores after the UK lockdown ends. The brand owner will buy back the brand and its online presence, excluding brick and mortar shops. Bloomberg

J Crew: The preppy casual label had long been a favourite of celebrities including Michelle Obama and Meghan Markle. But its celebrity endorsement couldn’t save the over 70-year-old brand, and it was among the first retailers to go under last year. Bloomberg

Peacocks: UK clothing stores Peacocks (423 stores) is part of the UK’s Edinburgh Woollen Mill (EWM) Group, wand went into administration in November last year. Around 4,700 jobs are at risk across the EWM group. Bloomberg

As the pandemic continues to change the landscape of many industries forever, retail continues to be one of the sectors that has been affected the most.

It was announced this week that British e-tailer Asos is in talks to buy Topshop, Topman and Miss Selfridge, and fellow UK e-fashion success story, boohoo, might be snapping up Debenhams. While the buyouts are good news for the brands, the opposite is true for employees. With Asos and boohoo's presence strictly online, the new owners will have no need for the staff nor the bricks and mortar stores.

In news that caused Asos shares to rise by 6 per cent, the company issued a statement saying: "Asos notes recent media speculation and confirms that it is in exclusive discussions with the administrators of Arcadia over the acquisition of the Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge and HIIT brands.

"The board believes this would represent a compelling opportunity to acquire strong brands that resonate well with its customer base. However, at this stage, there can be no certainty of a transaction and Asos will keep shareholders updated as appropriate. Any acquisition would be funded from cash reserves."

As high street fashion institutions in the UK and US either close for good or evolve into something else according to the wishes of their new owners, we take a look at some of the retail and dining brands that have shut up shop due to the effects of the pandemic.

Scroll through our gallery for 38 global brands that have been bought up, restructured or haven’t survived the shift in customer spending trends …

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