Dressbarn is closing
 |
| Dressbarn in the Seven Corners shopping center. |
Another big retailer is closing down, meaning more empty storefronts
in our area.
in our area.
The Ascena Retail Group announced May 20 that is shutting
down all 650 Dressbarn stores. That includes the stores in the Seven Corners
Center, Fair City Mall, Kingstowne Center, and Greenbriar Town Center in Fairfax County.
down all 650 Dressbarn stores. That includes the stores in the Seven Corners
Center, Fair City Mall, Kingstowne Center, and Greenbriar Town Center in Fairfax County.
Employees at the Seven Corners Dressbarn haven’t been
given any information about the store closing. The manager got an email the
same day there were news reports about the company shutting down stores, but
there were no details about when individual stores would close. “We have lots
of questions and haven’t gotten any answers,” an employee said.
A press release from Dressbarn says, “Plans for closing
individual Dressbarn locations, including information about store closing
sales, will be shared during the wind down process.”
individual Dressbarn locations, including information about store closing
sales, will be shared during the wind down process.”
Meanwhile, all stores are open, as is Dressbarn’s e-commerce
site, the news release states. “Customers can continue to shop at Dressbarn
in-store and online and use Dressbarn-branded credit cards for purchases. There
are no current changes to Dressbarn’s return, refund, or gift card policies.”
site, the news release states. “Customers can continue to shop at Dressbarn
in-store and online and use Dressbarn-branded credit cards for purchases. There
are no current changes to Dressbarn’s return, refund, or gift card policies.”
The decision to close the stores “was difficult, but
necessary, as the Dressbarn chain has not been operating at an acceptable level
of profitability in today’s retail environment,” said Dressbarn Chief Financial Officer
Steven Taylor. “Dressbarn associates will be notified when decisions are made
about specific store closures and provided with transition support.”
necessary, as the Dressbarn chain has not been operating at an acceptable level
of profitability in today’s retail environment,” said Dressbarn Chief Financial Officer
Steven Taylor. “Dressbarn associates will be notified when decisions are made
about specific store closures and provided with transition support.”
A press release from Dressbarn’s parent company, Ascena Retail Group, says the decision to shut down the chain “has no impact on the
operations of any of Ascena’s other brands and will
operations of any of Ascena’s other brands and will
strengthen the company’s overall
financial performance.”
financial performance.”
Ascena also owns Ann Taylor, Loft, Lou
& Grey, Lane Bryant, Catherines, Cacique, and Justice.
& Grey, Lane Bryant, Catherines, Cacique, and Justice.
According
to CBS News, Dressbarn has been losing customers, sales, and market share after
Ascena failed to invest in the brand, and as a result, has been losing out to competitors, such as
H&M and Target.
to CBS News, Dressbarn has been losing customers, sales, and market share after
Ascena failed to invest in the brand, and as a result, has been losing out to competitors, such as
H&M and Target.
Bummer! Dressbarn has nice clothes. I'll try to stop by for their going out of business sale.
SAD!