Forever 21, a once-dominant fast-fashion retailer, is closing all of its Missouri locations as part of a nationwide contraction following its second bankruptcy filing in six years.
The company, which has struggled with mounting financial losses exceeding $400 million over the past three years, faces overwhelming challenges from changing consumer habits and fierce competition from online retailers.
The closures will affect five key shopping destinations across Missouri:
- West County Center: 9 West County Center, Des Peres, MO
- Zona Rosa: 7121 N. West 86 Terrace #117, Kansas City, MO
- South County Center: 38 South County Center Way, Saint Louis, MO
- Battlefield Mall: 2825 S. Glenstone, Suite #S03B, Springfield, MO
- St. Louis Galleria: 2186 St. Louis Galleria, St. Louis, MO
This retail exodus spans Missouri’s major metropolitan areas, with the St. Louis region losing three locations alone, while Kansas City and Springfield each lose one store. The company’s bankruptcy filing revealed assets between $100 million and $500 million against liabilities potentially reaching $10 billion.
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“With no viable path forward, we have made the difficult decision to implement a court-supervised marketing process,” the company’s Chief Financial Officer stated, indicating they are seeking potential buyers who might rescue portions of the operation.
The retailer, which once boasted approximately 500 U.S. locations at its peak, has faced declining mall traffic and shifting consumer preferences toward resale and sustainable fashion alternatives.
Unless a last-minute acquisition materializes, these closures will end the retailer’s presence in Missouri. The timeline for the store closures has not yet been announced, leaving both shoppers and employees uncertain about the immediate future.
