This Beloved Brand Just Filed for Bankruptcy
Sarah Oconnell
Updated on February 23, 2026
Another beloved brand has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. On Jan. 26, iconic beauty brand L'Occitane Inc. announced that it would be shuttering a number of its stores in the U.S. as a result of its restructuring. Read on to discover how many stores are affected by the company's bankruptcy filing. And for more brands buckling amid the pandemic, This Beloved Furniture Chain Is Closing All But 1 of Its Stores.
L'Occitane announced in its bankruptcy filing that it will be closing 23 of its 166 stateside stores in a bid to execute its "store footprint optimization plan." The company saw in-person sales drop 56.5 percent between April and Dec. 2020 as compared to its 2019 sales, while its online sales rose by 72 percent.
Yann Tanini, Managing Director of L'Occitane North America, explained in a statement, "Over the past year, we have moved aggressively to address COVID-related challenges head on…We look forward to working collaboratively with our landlords to achieve partnerships that make economic sense in this current retail environment and best position our marquee brand's boutique offering for years to come."
While L'Occitane has not yet announced which stores will be closing, it has already laid off 40 employees and furloughed an additional 325 amid the pandemic.
L'Occitane isn't the only brand that's had to make drastic changes since COVID hit, however; read on to discover which other stores are closing due to the pandemic. And for more ways your favorite shopping experience is changing, This Iconic Department Store Is Closing Another 40 Locations.
1 Godiva
Popular chocolatier Godiva announced in late January that it would be closing all 128 of its locations in the U.S. "Of course, this decision was difficult because of the care we have for our dedicated and hardworking chocolatiers who will be impacted. We are grateful for all they have done to make wonderful moments for our consumers and spread happiness through incredible customer service and living our values and behaviors," said Godiva CEO Nurtac Afridi in a statement. And for more businesses shutting their doors, This Beloved Home Goods Chain Is Closing More Than 40 Stores.
2 American Eagle
Casual clothing store American Eagle Outfitters announced on Jan. 21 that it would be closing up to 250 stores in the near future. While the exact stores closing have not yet been announced, the company will be shuttering the affected locations in the next three years. "We're confident that we can transfer sales from closed stores into other stores or online, continue to acquire new customers and make the American Eagle brand more profitable over time," Michael Rempell, executive vice president and chief operations officer of American Eagle Outfitters, explained to Women's Wear Daily. And for more ways your next shopping trip may be different, These 2 Beloved Department Stores Are "Slowly, Quietly Dying."
3 Christopher & Banks
Clothing store Christopher & Banks, which currently operates 449 locations in the U.S., "expects to close a significant portion, if not all, of its brick-and-mortar stores" following its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, the brand announced on Jan. 14. "Due to the financial distress resulting from the pandemic and its ongoing impact, we elected to initiate this process and pursue a potential sale of the business in whole or in part to position the Company for the future," Christopher & Banks' president and CEO Keri Jones explained in a statement. And for the latest store closure news delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
4 Stock+Field
Midwestern department store Stock+Field announced on Jan. 10 that it would be closing all of its locations after a 55-year run. "We hope to reopen stores at some point in the future, but for now, please come in, say hello to your favorite employee, and enjoy the ridiculously low prices," said Stock+Field CEO and chairman Matthew F. Whebbe in a statement. And for another department store in trouble, check out This Iconic Department Store Just Filed For Bankruptcy.
Sarah Crow Sarah Crow is a senior editor at Eat This, Not That!, where she focuses on celebrity news and health coverage. Read moreFiled UnderNews • ShoppingRead This NextThis Iconic Store Is Closing All U.S. Locations
The brand has been in business for 95 years, opening its first stateside outlet nearly 50 years ago. January 25, 2021This Clothing Chain Is Closing 200 Locations
Get ready to see less of this store in malls near you.January 22, 2021This Department Store Is Closing All Locations
The brand "will be selling items at massive discounts in the coming weeks.”January 12, 2021The Smart Man's Guide to Spotting Counterfeit Wine
That $2,000 bottle of Bourdeaux might be worth $20. Here’s how to be sure it’s the real thing.April 13, 2017The 5 Best Light-Bodied Red Wines for Extending Your Summer
Don't let September ruin a killer party. August 25, 201717 Insanely Cool New Luxury Bicycles for Spring
Meet the bikes that cost more than a car.March 31, 2017The Best Way Make Your Blowout Last Longer
Pro-approved tricks for making "day four" look like "day one."November 27, 2017The 6 Keys for Nailing Perfect Silver Fox Hair
The art of looking as distinguished as humanly possible. June 30, 2017Best Life Essentials
You deserve the best. Live life to the fullest with these ultimate essentials.October 21, 2016This Is the Safest Way to Store Meat
Don't let that filet set you up for food poisoning. February 7, 2018
