14 Bankruptcies

Here are 14 companies that filed bankruptcy…

1. Phoenix Coyotes – They started as the Winnipeg Jets before moving to Phoenix in 1996.  At filing, the company had $500 million in debts and less than $100 million in assets.  That’ll teach the business people that a hockey team might not belong in the desert.  Source

2. Hartmarx – The maker of President Obama’s suits, has filed for bankruptcy in January.  The company lists between $100 million and $500 million in assets and liabilities.  There is currently a bid for Hartmarx from Emerisque.  Source

3. Six Flags – The amusement company filed for bankruptcy after failing to refinance $2.4 billion in debt.  A company spokesman has said this is strictly a financial restructuring and will not affect any park operations.  Source

4. Crabtree & Evelyn – A high priced soap maker has listed between $10 million and $50 million in assets and at least as much in debts.  The company founded in 1973 has built it’s brands on natural products that use herbs, fruits and fresh flowers.  For now their stores will remain open and the website will remain in operation.  Source

5. Filene’s Basement – The chain filed for bankruptcy with assets of $100 million and liabilities as high as 5 times that amount.  Syms, a competing retailer has agreed to pay $65 million for the chain.  Included in the purchase are 23 or 25 stores as well as inventory.  The chain will continue to operate under the Filene’s Basement name.  Source

6. Extended Stay – The hotel chain filed in June with total debt of $7.6 billion and assets of $7.1 billion.  Room revenue plummeted by 23.2% during the first 5 months of 2009 compared to a year earlier.  The hotel chain will continue operations under it’s existing brands of Extended Stay America, Homestead Studio Suites, Studio Plus and Crossland.  Source

7. Eddie Bauer – The clothing retailer based in Washington filed in June.  It’s latest filing was in 2003 and emerged in 2005 and was spun off into it’s own company.  The chain, formerly known as Spiegal listed between $100 million and $500 million in assets.  CCMP Capital has bid $202 million for the chain and plans to keep all 371 stores open as well as catalog and web site operations.  Gift cards will be honored until September 1, 2009 or until the sale of it’s assets go through.  Source

8. Crunch Gym – The chain began in 1989 as a basement aerobics studio and over the last 20 years has grown to 28 locations around the country.  In may it’s leases became unmanageable as it listed at least $500 assets and liabilities.  New Evolution Fitness Co has entered into a purchase agreement.  Most locations will remain open, but may be relocated to get a cheaper lease.  Source

9. Pilgrim’s Pride – Rising raw material prices compounded by lower demand led the company to file for bankruptcy in December 2008.  The company listed $3.75 billion in assets and $2.72 billion in debts.  Operations will continue and no further layoffs are planned.  Source

10. The Daily Blossom – The floral arrangement design company lists just under $50,000 and liabilities between $100,000 and $500,000.  Source

11. Debt Relief USA – The debt consolidation company lists $5 million in liabilities and $4.65 million in assets.  The company has shut down and left it’s customers without services they paid for.  Source

12. The Tribune Co – The owner of the Chicago Tribune and LA Times filed at the end of 2008.  The company will operate normally while in bankruptcy which was designed to lighten the debt load.  Source

13. Vallejo, California – The town in California filed bankruptcy as property taxes plunged.  The town is home to one of Six Flags most successful theme parks, which has also entered bankruptcy protection.  Source

14. Lear corp – The company manufactures seats and electronics for cars lists $1.3 billion in assets and $4.5 billion in debt.  The company has already found financing and is expected to exit bankruptcy within 60 days.  Source

Dial A Mattress Bankruptcy

Dial A Mattress (founded in 1976) filed bankruptcy in late March and has plans to sell to rival Sleepy’s.  Creditors filed suit for over $1.7 million.  Sleepy’s stepped up and offered to provide debtor in possession funding so Dial A Mattress could continue operations.  

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Pier 1 Closing Stores

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Pier 1 Imports will close up to 80 stores after $29.4 million dollar loss in the 4th Quarter 2008.  The company originally planned to close 125 stores, but worked out deals with a number of landlords to reduce store rents.  

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Virgin Megastores Closing in US

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The six Virgin MegaStores will close by this summer.  While still profitable, the real estate the stores sit on are far more valuable than the stores themselves and will be closed to make way for new renters or owners depending on the location.  The first store to go will be the flagship NY Times Square location which will close by mid April.  The rest will go by June. The company is known for it’s splashy promotions and is planning a send off for the Times Square location the last week of March.  The rest of the 150 Megastores will remain open around the world.

It’s 1060 staff across the country will be laid off.

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The Source (Circuit City Canada) Sold

BCE Inc, Canada’s largest telecom, has agreed to purchase The Source which was previously owned by Circuit City.  Circuit City has been looking for a buyer for it’s chain in Canada since filing for bankruptcy in November 2008.  

BCE will use the retail locations to expand it’s vast retail presence and to push it’s products accross the 750 stores in this acquisition.  BCE also stated this move will allow it to expand its retail foot print faster and cheaper than building out the chain.  It was also stated the chain had nearly $500 million in revenue for 2008.

The purchase price will not be released until the acquisition is completed.

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Ritz Camera Files for Bankruptcy

Ritz Camera owns Wolf Camera, Kits Cameras, Inkleys and the Camera Shops, Boaters World as well as the namesake Ritz Camera stores.  The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

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Walmart cutting HQ staff

Walmart has issued a press release stating the company would cut 700-800 positions at it’s headquarters.  No cuts are planned for it’s retail stores, and the cuts are not expected to affect the retail stores.

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Starbucks to eliminate 870 Assistant Managers

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Starbucks announced it will eliminate 870 Assistant Managers in stores around the country.  An additional 530 positions will not be filled.  In addition to those cuts, the company also said 300 support staff in Seattle would be let go as well.  

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Macy’s cutting 7,000 positions

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Macy’s today said they will be cutting 7,000 positions or about 4% of their workforce.  5,100 positions will be cut from stores while the balance will be from regional offices around the country.  The company also announced they will be centralizing operations instead of operating regionally.  Macy’s hopes to save about $400 million a year beginning in  2010. Merit raises for executives have been frozen and reduce 401K match contributions beginning in 2009.  Dividend payouts will be reduced 62%.

Potential cuts to it’s executives including less merchandise discounts, company cars, company paid life insurance and financial counseling

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Starbucks cutting 6,700

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Starbucks reported it missed goals and will close 300 stores and layoff 6,700 workers.  The CEOs salary would be reducd to less than $10,000 from over $1 million last year.  Planned store openings were also reduced by half of last years openings to about 95.

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