Dressbarn Announces That They’re Going Out of Business and Plans on Closing 650 Stores

We admit it; we like to shop online. We like the convenience of placing an order from our computer or our phone and having it delivered to our door. It saves trudging through the store with kids at our heels hoping that we don’t have to deal with any tantrums or meltdowns.

Shopping in brick and mortar stores used to be fun, and it still is from time to time. We still visit malls and shopping centers when we get the chance. A lot of that shopping is more browsing, or it’s for situations where we feel we’d need to try something on or see it in person before buying it.

We’re not the only ones shopping online, and brick and mortar stores are feeling it. In 2017, 8,139 stores closed their doors. In 2018, 5,864 stores closed. This year, 2019, is looking even worse, and we’re not even halfway through the year yet.

Already, more stores are set to close in 2019 than in all of 2018. Shopping literally will never be the same again.

The latest store to announce it’s closing its doors is Dressbarn. The women’s retail chain is known for stylish clothes as budget-friendly prices. There are about 650 Dressbarn stores across the country, and eventually, every single store will close its doors.

In a statement, Steven Taylor, the Chief Financial Officer of Dressbarn, announced,

For more than 50 years, Dressbarn has served women’s fashion needs, and we thank all of our dedicated associates for their commitment to Dressbarn and our valued customers. This decision was difficult, but necessary, as the Dressbarn chain has not been operating at an acceptable level of profitability in today’s retail environment. During the wind down process, we will continue to provide our customers with the same great experience both in-store and online, offering them even better deals and value. We will work to assist our associates through the transition and maintain existing relationships with our vendors, suppliers, and other key stakeholders through this process.

The parent company of Dressbarn is Ascena Retail Group. The company has already sold its Maurices brand, but in addition to Dressbarn, it still owns, Lane Bryant, Ann Taylor, Justice, Catherines and Cacique. The company says that the other brands will not be affected by the Dressbarn closures.

For more about the Dress Barn closure announcement, watch the video below.

 

Do you shop at Dressbarn? Does it surprise you that this retail chain will be closing?