x
Breaking News
More () »

Lord & Taylor, Men's Wearhouse owner file for bankruptcy

Lord & Taylor and Tailored Brands, the parent company of Men’s Wearhouse and Jos. A. Banks, has filed for bankruptcy joining a growing list of stores.

NEW YORK — Editor's Note: The video above is from May 2020.

Lord & Taylor, one of America's oldest department stores, has filed for bankruptcy, joining a growing list of stores slammed by the coronavirus pandemic. Tailored Brands, the parent company of Men's Wearhouse and Jos. A. Banks, filed for bankruptcy as well.

Many of the companies that have filed for Chapter 11 in recent weeks were already struggling, but the forced closure of non-essential stores in March pushed them to the brink.

RELATED: Jos. A. Bank, Men's Wearhouse parent Tailored Brands to close hundreds of stores

Lord & Taylor, which was sold to the French rental clothing company Le Tote Inc. last year, filed Sunday for bankruptcy protection in the Eastern Court of Virginia.

In an announcement on its website the company, one of the oldest American department stores, said it was looking for a new owner.

Like many retailers, Lord & Taylor was already struggling with the shift to online shopping even before the pandemic struck this spring. Last year, it sold its flagship building on New York’s Fifth Avenue after more than a century in the 11-story building.

Credit: AP
FILE - In this June 6, 2018, file photo the Lord & Taylor logo is seen next to a mannequin in a window display at their flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York. Lord & Taylor, one of the country’s oldest department stores. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

The company was founded as a dry goods store in 1826. There are several dozen Lord & Taylor stores across the country.

Tailored Brands, which filed for Chapter 11 Sunday in the Southern District of Texas, said it would continue to operate Men’s Wearhouse and Jos. A. Banks stores, along with K&G Fashion Superstore and Moores Clothing for Men, which it also owns. It said in a release that a restructuring plan is expected to reduce the company’s funded debt by at least $630 million and provide increased financial flexibility.

RELATED: Ann Taylor owner files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

RELATED: Bed Bath & Beyond closing 200 stores over next 2 years

As many people have switched to working at home, brands that sell clothes targeted at offices workers have had a particularly hard time. Brooks Brothers and the parent company of Ann Taylor are among those that have also filed for bankruptcy.

As of July 23, roughly 40 retailers, including big and small companies, had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy so far this year. That exceeds the number of retail bankruptcies for all of last year. About two dozen of them have sought bankruptcy protection since the pandemic started.

Others include J. Crew, J.C. Penney, Neiman Marcus, Stage Stores, and Ascena Retail Group, which owns Lane Bryant in addition to Ann Taylor.

RELATED: Levi's to cut 700 office jobs due to coronavirus-related slump

RELATED: Chuck E. Cheese parent company files for bankruptcy

RELATED: GNC files for bankruptcy, plans to close up to 1,200 stores

Before You Leave, Check This Out