The running list of major retail bankruptcies
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
| The running list of major retail bankruptcies |
| Published Wednesday, July 8, 2026 11:00 am |
This is a summary
"Since 2017, Retail Dive has tracked major bankruptcies in the U.S. retail industry. Over the years, we’ve chronicled the long decline of once-dominant chains like Sears, and the unexpected and swift demise of others, like Lord & Taylor.
Even in that short timeframe, some retailers have fallen victim to bankruptcy not once, but twice. In 2019 alone, both Gymboree and Payless filed for their second bankruptcies in two years. And in 2020, with many retailers facing shuttered stores and slow traffic, a record number of retailers — including many who had been teetering for years — filed.
Some retailers that enter bankruptcy leave most of their stores behind, opting for a more digital-focused approach, while others are bought out by landlords and continue to operate large footprints. Some brands disappear entirely, while others seem to resurrect again and again. After Toys R Us’ swift liquidation in 2018, for example, the iconic toy brand is now sold at Macy’s."
Read the original on Retail Dive
The running list of major retail bankruptcies | Retail Dive
Image credit to Melinda Gimpel on Unsplash
Saks Global filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on January 14, 2026, about a year after completing its merger with Neiman Marcus, with the filing widely anticipated as the luxury conglomerate struggled financially and vendor relationships deteriorated due to past-due invoices. Eddie Bauer LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on February 9, 2026, marking the end of the brand's brick-and-mortar presence with 175 locations set to close. Pat McGrath Cosmetics filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on January 22, 2026, following a lengthy private dispute between McGrath and a lender. Francesca's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in less than a decade on February 5, 2026. Other retailers identified as high-risk for 2026 include Wayfair, ASOS, AMC Theatres, Walgreens, QVC Group, and J. Crew Group, with smaller companies facing disproportionate challenges compared to larger retailers during volatile economic times.
Bed Bath & Beyond has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Fathom Holdings Inc., a national technology-driven real estate services platform integrating residential brokerage, mortgage, title, and SaaS offerings, in an all-stock transaction valuing Fathom at approximately $53.38 million. The acquisition accelerates Bed Bath & Beyond's vision to create the nation's first end-to-end homeownership platform by uniting Homeownership Transactions, Omnichannel Commerce and Home Services into a single homeowner ecosystem. Fathom's brands include Fathom Realty, the No. 17 U.S. brokerage by sales volume in 2025 with more than $15.7 billion in transaction volume, along with Encompass Lending, Verus Title, intelliAgent and Real Results. The combined platform is expected to provide Fathom with immediate access to millions of Bed Bath & Beyond customers at key moments in the homeownership journey, creating a seamless connection between home buying, financing, and furnishing, with the transaction expected to close in the second half of 2026.
Summary:
Bass Pro Shops has acquired the Cheeca Lodge & Spa in Islamorada, Florida, a 27-acre, 254-room luxury hospitality location situated on the Overseas Highway between Key Largo and Key West, with JLL handling the transaction between Northwood Investors and Bass Pro Shops. Bass Pro Shops agreed to pay more than $300 million for the historic property, which opened in 1946 and has hosted legendary figures including former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Harry Truman, author Ernest Hemingway, and baseball Hall of Famer Ted Williams. Northwood Hospitality will continue to operate the resort, which has been expanded over the past 15 years with 43 premium oceanfront suites, 11 luxury casitas, a 10,000 square foot conference center, three restaurants, a Jack Nicklaus-designed 9-hole golf course, and a 525-foot fishing pier. Bass Pro Shops' acquisition reinforces the company's commitment to nature-based hospitality while uniting Cheeca Lodge with the nearby World Wide Sportsman Store & Marina to create a seaside adventure destination in the heart of the Florida Keys.