Retailer Francesca's Reportedly Liquidating, Closing Stores

A retailer of women’s apparel and accessories with more than 400 stores nationwide plans to shut down, according to a report from Women’s Wear Daily.

The Houston-based Francesca’s has yet to respond to requests for comment or confirmation, though media outlets, including the Houston Chronicle and the Houston Business Journal, have also shared the news from the initial report.

Francesca's store sign

On Thursday, a Francesca’s customer service representative told Women’s Wear Daily the company is “liquidating our inventory and closing soon,” according to the report.

The retail chain opened its first boutique in Houston in 1999. It now has its headquarters in Northwest Houston. The brand has 457 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.

In November 2020, Francesca's had 700 stores across 47 states. That same month, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and announced plans to close about 140 stores. Francesca’s completed a strategic review prior to the pandemic to turn around its financial performance, then cited the pandemic’s exacerbation of issues facing brick-and-mortar stores, the HBJ reported.

An affiliate of TerraMar Capital and Tiger Capital Group bought the brand for $18M in February 2021. The brand expanded in the following years, opening new stores, keeping a lean inventory and shifting its attention to e-commerce, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Many of Francesca’s boutiques are in malls, similar to accessories retailer Claire’s, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and faced potential liquidation last year.

Claire’s briefly planned to close 700 stores before a new private equity owner bought the brand and announced plans to keep most of the stores open.

Continue reading this story with a free account

Log in or register
Sign up for more articles like this
Subscribe to Bisnow's National Newsletters
Related Stories

Wall Street Impatient For Big Tech Returns On Data Center Spending

As AI Adoption Ramps Up, Half A Million Property Managers Are In The Crosshairs

Treasuries Hover Around 4.7% As Wall Street Questions If Warsh Is A 'Dove In Hawk's Clothing'

The Wideman Co. Buys Downtown Tower From Brookfield: The Houston Deal Sheet

Avison Young Had Assets Frozen By Bank Over Unpaid Taxes

Philly Retail Momentum Spills From Rittenhouse Into Northern Liberties

Camden Property Trust Sells West Coast Portfolio, Clears $1.5B Target

Churchill Downs Plans To Sell 9 Casinos, Focus On Horse Racing

Bringing Stability And Savings To CRE Insurance Through Working Layer

More Hotel Owners In Need Of Cash Are Getting It From The Big Brands

Forget Buildings, Retailers Are Leasing Environments

Former Arms Dealer Targeting Heartland Apartment Takeover Files For Bankruptcy