Francesca’s, a clothing store that long operated in malls across the country, filed for bankruptcy for the second time. The filing resulted in plans to close all stores and offer sales of up to 80% off. Although an official closing date had not been set, the company’s website advertised its “final days” sale.
The company originally filed for bankruptcy in December 2020 and voluntarily filed again for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Feb. 5. According to its website, Francesca’s opened in 1999 and recently celebrated 25 years of business. The retailer operated 457 stores across 45 states.
After filing for bankruptcy, the company stopped accepting online orders and used its website to advertise the “final days” sale. The company also stopped accepting gift cards, merchandise credit and membership rewards.
With merchandise selling for less than half price, inventory began running low. Furniture and store fixtures also became available for purchase as the company prepared to close locations.
Although Francesca’s stores were closing, its intellectual property was purchased for $7 million by Stand Out For Good Inc., the parent company of Altar’d State, a faith-based clothing retailer.
A store manager at one Francesca’s location shared her reaction after learning about the closure.
“It was a shocker, but ultimately, it was just one of those things that the CEO decides,” the manager said.
She also described what customers said after hearing the news.
“The main thing we’ve been hearing is that everyone is just really sad,” she said.
The manager said one of her favorite parts of the job was forming relationships with customers who visited the store regularly. She said those personal interactions helped set the store apart.
“It was just a different experience that we created here. It was really make a friend from the door all the way to the fitting rooms and the register,” she said.
As Francesca’s and other mall stores such as Forever 21 closed locations, customers and employees began asking questions about the future of in-person shopping. Isabel Brooks, freshman Christian studies and business administration double major, shared her perspective.
“I think it definitely reflects the crazy time we live in and how everyone shops online because it’s so convenient. But you really miss the experience of feeling the quality of the clothes and trying them on,” Brooks said.
Liberty Wood, senior biochemistry and molecular biology major, said she learned about the store’s closure after a friend recommended Francesca’s as a place to shop for a graduation dress. When discussing possible reasons for the closure, Wood pointed to the influence of online shopping.
“Online shopping is so convenient that it’s hard to go to a boutique and try on dresses,” Wood said.
Despite that convenience, Wood said she still enjoyed visiting stores in person to try on clothing.
The closure of Francesca’s reflected more than the loss of a store that sold clothing and accessories. It also highlighted the continued shift in the retail industry as e-commerce reshaped how consumers shop.
