Brands that Covid killed

[djohns7275]

I remember reading Jack Welch's book called Winning . In it he stated that when he ran G E all the businesses had to be either number one or number two in their field as when hard times came only the two dominate players in any sector are guaranteed to survive. Covid has killed off many of the peripheral footwear and clothing brands that were barley hanging on to start with .

Here in the UK Alfred Sargent went bust and all the remaining stock was subsequently sold on Ebay . Foster & son closed their Jermyn street shop and now only do bespoke . T & M Lewin closed all their stores and now only sell online . Wensum who years earlier had closed their factory in Norwich and moved it to Mauritius finally went bankrupt . The company that owned the Chester Barrie Savile row store closed it .The company that made the Chester Barrie Savile row suits and the ready made suits for Huntsman and Richard Anderson was called Lutwyche ,who also made suits under the brand name Lutwyche also went bust . If anybody is interested in the Lutwyche suits there are a couple of hundred of them on Ebay at the moment .

The department store House of Fraser also went bust . Up and down the high street I see bordered up shops the high street will never be the same . Even in Kesington high street about 20% of the shops are empty .

 

[Phileas Fogg]

Though I have a feeling it was on its way out anyway, I’d argue Brooks Brothers being another.

What I’m more impressed with is what Covid DIDN’T kill off. So many brands like Tom Ford have survived even though the need for tailored clothing took such a nose dive.

 

[djohns7275]

Though I have a feeling it was on its way out anyway, I’d argue Brooks Brothers being another.

What I’m more impressed with is what Covid DIDN’T kill off. So many brands like Tom Ford have survived even though the need for tailored clothing took such a nose dive.

Yes but Tom Ford probably isn't that bothered about his clothing sales I think he like a lot of other designer brands aren't really in the business of selling clothing . They are perfume and cosmetic companies who merely use clothing to sell frangrances at a huge mark up .

 

[Nyarlathotep]

Yes but Tom Ford probably isn't that bothered about his clothing sales I think he like a lot of other designer brands aren't really in the business of selling clothing . They are perfume and cosmetic companies who merely use clothing to sell frangrances at a huge mark up .

Was just coming to post this i.e that TF's bread and butter are the scents and make-up

 

[jack webb]

Where I live the local men's store never re-opened after the pandemic.

 

[dieworkwear]

IMO, lots of brands blamed their bankruptcy on COVID, but they were on their way to bankruptcy well before COVID because of structural issues. J. Crew, Brooks Brothers, Men's Warehouse, etc.

 

[imatlas]

IMO, lots of brands blamed their bankruptcy on COVID, but they were on their way to bankruptcy well before COVID because of structural issues. J. Crew, Brooks Brothers, Men's Warehouse, etc.

That's kind of implicit in the OP, though: if you're not in a dominant position (which includes some level of financial stability), you're at much higher risk of failure if there's a Black Swan event. Which isn't all that interesting of an observation, but does lead one to ask what else was/is necessary to thrive in these conditions.

The two organizations that I'm most closely connected to, my tech industry employer and my volunteer non profit, have both thrived during COVID, putting up their best numbers ever.

 

[dieworkwear]

That's kind of implicit in the OP, though: if you're not in a dominant position (which includes some level of financial stability), you're at much higher risk of failure if there's a Black Swan event. Which isn't all that interesting of an observation, but does lead one to ask what else was/is necessary to thrive in these conditions.

I suppose it depends on what someone means by "dominant position." Many of the smaller companies in menswear survived because they're flexible and have relatively low overhead.

 

[Master Squirrel]

On the flip side, any company making flannel draw-string pants made a killing.

 

[Knurt]

On the flip side, any company making flannel draw-string pants made a killing.

noticed this phenomenon on eBay. Boy, what prices renowned producers are quoted at. Cannot cope with drawstring myself.

 

[djohns7275]

IMO, lots of brands blamed their bankruptcy on COVID, but they were on their way to bankruptcy well before COVID because of structural issues. J. Crew, Brooks Brothers, Men's Warehouse, etc.

I think your right it just quickened their demise . Many time I hear that a brand has gone bankrupt and I think to myself '' I didn't even know they were still in business ''

 

[Knurt]

The nature of business is ebb and flo, operations at the brink of failure. When hit by a major downturn some frail but promising ventures are cut down. Walked through the Bond Street area in London a couple of days ago and saw a lot of empty shop spaces previously occupied by well-known brands.

 

[Jax]

IMO, lots of brands blamed their bankruptcy on COVID, but they were on their way to bankruptcy well before COVID because of structural issues. J. Crew, Brooks Brothers, Men's Warehouse, etc.

Bankruptcy also didn't kill those brands. They are still around.

 

[dieworkwear]

Bankruptcy also didn't kill those brands. They are still around.

That's true. There are also some companies that went under because they had internal problems, but then they just start up again using a different name and pretend nothing happened.

 

[JFWR]

noticed this phenomenon on eBay. Boy, what prices renowned producers are quoted at. Cannot cope with drawstring myself.

Bespoke sweatpants are making their debut on Savile Row now.