Why did New York & Company go Bankrupt? (2024)

New York & Company has been in business a long time, going all the way back to 1918 when it was incorporated as Lerner Shops.

But now it’s done.

New York & Company declared bankruptcy in July of 2020, citing COVID-19 as the main factor. But in truth, the company had been on death’s doorstep for years.

New York & Company sells women’s workwear, casual apparel, and accessories to women between the ages of 25 and 49. The company has 387 stores in 33 states, and it’s been a fixture in American malls for decades.

Which is precisely the problem.

Mall traffic has been declining for quite some time, slowly siphoning away New York & Company’s customer base. The company knew it was in trouble and tried several strategies to stay alive.

First, it closed 150 stores since 2014. Sales per square foot has been declining, so the company wanted to decrease its physical footprint and shift more sales online. And it partially worked; the least profitable stores were closed, and one-third of the sales now come from e-commerce. But this wasn’t enough; same-store sales declined a whopping 5.4% in fiscal year 2019. The firm planned to shutter an additional 150 stores to “reposition itself as a digitally dominant retailer” before COVID hit, so clearly it didn’t see much of a future in its stores.

Second, New York & Company increasingly partnered with celebrities. The growth of these “sub-brands” caused New York & Company to rename itself “RTW Retailwinds” in November of 2018, which is the most unappealing name I’ve ever heard for a retailer. The company hoped to “become the premier incubator of celebrity and lifestyle brands” and collaborated with famous people like Gabrielle Union and Eva Mendes. Some of the brands were only available online, like Kate Hudson’s “Uncommon Sense,” a lingerie brand that RTW shut down after just a few months and that cost the company over $4 million.

Okay, that didn’t work; so how about a change in leadership? Maybe a new CEO can bring in some fresh ideas.

Nope.

RTW promoted its chief marketing officer, Traci Inglis, to CEO in March of 2020. But Inglis and four board members resigned a month later with no explanation, leaving the CFO in charge.

Thus, RTW didn’t have much of a turnaround strategy aside from “sell more stuff online.”

Let’s look at the financials, maybe that will tell us why the CEO jumped ship after a few weeks.

The company’s gross profit percentage decreased more than three full percentage points from 2018 to 2019; RTW said it needed to do a lot more discounting than expected, particularly with the Uncommon Sense brand that failed. But the gross profit percentage was also lower due to increased shipping costs from online sales.

SG&A as a percentage of sales also increased (nearly three percentage points), which RTW attributed to higher customer acquisition costs to build its e-commerce sales and grow new brands. This makes sense; since the company could no longer rely on mall traffic to drive sales, customer acquisition costs were bound to increase.

Top-line revenue decreased from $893 to $826 million from 2018 to 2019; the company eked out a $4 million profit in 2018 but lost $61 million in 2019. Cash flow was a disaster, with the company burning through $35 of its $95 million in cash in just one year. The company was clearly on the way down, and this was before the pandemic.

COVID-19 simply accelerated RTW’s demise.

The company’s business is highly seasonal, with spring and fall being its two main selling seasons. Thus, RTW got caught holding a lot of inventory when it was forced to close its stores in mid-March. The company had $76 million tied up in inventory that it couldn’t sell; even furloughing most of its 4,971 employees and stiffing landlords couldn’t solve the company’s lack of cash.

There were other problems of course; the tariffs on Chinese goods didn’t help, with RTW sourcing 95% of its products from China, Vietnam, and Indonesia. But it wasn’t tariffs, a pandemic, or other factors that killed this hundred-year old company.

It was the company’s failure to adapt to a change in consumer preferences.

People were tired of malls before the pandemic, and now they’re even more tired of malls.

And RTW didn’t have an answer for that. The Hail Mary pass was to convince people to buy Kate Hudson’s lingerie brand online, and when that didn’t work it was only a matter of time.

Here’s a link to RTW’s most recent 10-K:

Why did New York & Company go Bankrupt? (2024)

FAQs

Why did New York and Company go bankrupt? ›

Sales per square foot has been declining, so the company wanted to decrease its physical footprint and shift more sales online. And it partially worked; the least profitable stores were closed, and one-third of the sales now come from e-commerce.

What happened to New York and Company? ›

New York & Co.

New York & Company's parent company, RTW Retailwinds Inc., filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy on July 13. The clothing retailer announced that it was closing all of its stores shortly thereafter.

Is NY & Co going out of business? ›

RTW Retailwinds, parent company of New York & Company and Fashion to Figure, filed for bankruptcy on Monday after more than a century in business. The company said in a statement that it has begun the liquidation process and intends to close a "significant portion, if not all" of its stores.

How is New York and company doing financially? ›

New York & Company revenue is $929.1M annually. After extensive research and analysis, Zippia's data science team found the following key financial metrics. New York & Company has 5,885 employees, and the revenue per employee ratio is $157,875. New York & Company peak revenue was $929.1M in 2021.

When did New York go broke? ›

In February 1975, New York City entered a serious fiscal crisis. Under mayor Abraham Beame, the city had run out of money to pay for normal operating expenses, was unable to borrow more, and faced the prospect of defaulting on its obligations and declaring bankruptcy.

Why is New York in so much debt? ›

The City of New York's (the “City”) debt finances the capital maintenance, upkeep, and expansion of an infrastructure that must accommodate not only 8.5 million City residents but also millions of daily commuters and tourists. The City's extensive and complex infrastructure is both essential and costly to maintain.

Will New York and Company remain online? ›

We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Sunrise Brands that will allow our significant e-commerce business to continue to operate and serve our loyal customers,” said Sheamus Toal, CEO of RTW.

When did New York and Company go out of business? ›

New York & Company, Inc.
Trade nameLerner Shops (1918–1992) Lerner New York (1992–2004) New York & Company (2004–present)
IndustryRetail
Founded1918
FateChapter 11 Bankruptcy
Headquarters330 West 34th Street New York
13 more rows

Why are New York's bookstores disappearing? ›

But the biggest culprit, at least in New York, is the same seemingly unstoppable force shuttering small businesses across the city: rising rent. Rent is a particular concern for bookstores because they operate on low margins but require large storage space.

What company no longer exists? ›

Defunct, in a business context, refers to the condition of a company, whether publicly traded or private, that has gone bankrupt and has ceased to exist. Typically, "defunct" refers to something that is no longer existing, functioning, or in use.

Why are NYC restaurants closing? ›

More than two years after New York's first indoor dining shutdown, restaurants and bars continue to struggle. At least 4,500 have closed since the onset of the pandemic due to the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Are people returning to offices in NYC? ›

Nearly half of office workers (49%) are back in New York City on an average weekday, up from 38% in April, according to the latest data this week from the Partnership for New York City, which has been tracking office occupancy as a vital sign for New York's economy.

How much money do you need to feel rich in NYC? ›

The financial firm Charles Schwab surveyed 500 New York residents about their wealth in May 2022. Local respondents said you need $1.4 million to be "financially comfortable" in the New York area. To be considered "wealthy," you need $3.4 million — over one million more than the national average.

What is New York's main source of income? ›

Finance, health care and life sciences, high technology and biotechnology, real estate, and insurance all form the basis of New York City's economy. The city is also the nation's most important center for mass media, journalism, and publishing. Also, it is the country's preeminent arts center.

Does NYC Have a good economy? ›

The economy of the State of New York is reflected in its gross state product in 2022-Q2 of $US2. 0 trillion, ranking third in size behind the larger states of California and Texas. If New York State were an independent nation, it would rank as the 10th largest economy in the world.

How many times has New York been destroyed? ›

That's good news for New York which has been destroyed onscreen 61 times and counting. It's Hollywood's favorite city to level, and has been since 1933, when it was first destroyed in Deluge. It was also attacked that very same year by King Kong.

When did New York get better? ›

During the 1990s, crime rates in New York City dropped dramatically, even more than in the United States as a whole. Violent crime declined by more than 56 percent in the City, compared to about 28 percent in the nation as whole. Property crimes tumbled by about 65 percent, but fell only 26 percent nationally.

How did New York end slavery? ›

It was not until March 31, 1817 that the New York legislature ended two centuries of slavery within its borders, setting July 4, 1827 as the date of final emancipation and making New York the first state to pass a law for the total abolition of legal slavery.

Which US state is the most in debt? ›

New York, Texas, Illinois, and Florida rounded out the top five states with the most debt outstanding in 2020.
...
StateDebt in billion U.S. dollars
California519.54
New York368.28
Texas324.21
Illinois159.31
9 more rows
Oct 21, 2022

Why is New York no longer the capital? ›

Answer and Explanation: In the late 18th century, New York City was not the financial center and would not become a major metropolitan area until the 1830's. The question of the capital divided the North and South with the South concerned about the capital being held in a northern state as it was in Philadelphia.

Which US cities have the most debt? ›

Seattle
  • Denver. With an average debt per person of $26,636, Denver ranks as the most indebted city in America, according to data collected by Experian. ...
  • Seattle. In the Emerald City, the average debt per person is $26,351. ...
  • Dallas. ...
  • Phoenix. ...
  • Atlanta. ...
  • Portland, Ore. ...
  • Baltimore. ...
  • Washington, D.C.

Is it true if you can make it in New York you can make it anywhere? ›

Frank Sinatra was right when he sang "if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere." It's an age-old adage for those who have come to the Big Apple to make it big, but anyone who's lived in NYC knows life here isn't as glamorous as it looks.

Do you pay NYC tax if you work in NYC and live on Long Island? ›

All city residents' income, no matter where it is earned, is subject to New York City personal income tax.

Can you wear leggings in New York? ›

Here in NYC, it's against the letter of the law for a woman to be on the street wearing “body hugging clothing.” So no yoga pants, no spandex, no Lycra, no booty shorts, no co*cktail dresses…

What did New York and company used to be called? ›

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Trade nameLerner Shops (1918–1992) Lerner New York (1992–2004) New York & Company (2004–present)
Number of locations553 (2011)
Key peopleGregory J. Scott, CEO
ProductsWomen's Apparel & Accessories
RevenueUS$929.1 million (2016)
13 more rows

Do the Dutch still own New York? ›

The English take over Manhattan

On September 8, 1664, the Dutch reign in North America ended. The English renamed Nieuw-Amsterdam New York after the Duke of York. At this time, Nieuw-Nederland had about 6.000 inhabitants, 1.500 of which lived in Nieuw-Amsterdam.

What company owns New York? ›

New York-New York Hotel & Casino is one of 18 properties owned by MGM Resorts International.

Why are bookstores declining? ›

The actual decline in used bookstores did indeed occur for economic reasons. But these reasons are related to the value or lack thereof in used books far more than to the obvious rises in rent. The fact is paperback books and discounted hardbacks have virtually eliminated a general interest in used books.

Why are bookstores failing? ›

Two major factors have contributed to the 9.6% decrease in sales at bookstores since 2007: the growing popularity of e-books, and Borders going out of business. Both have caused serious drops in the number of bookstore sales, though competition with online retailers like Amazon is another major factor.

Are bookstores a dying industry? ›

No, books are not a dying industry. While the introduction of technology has led many to believe that the book industry is dying, but this couldn't be further from the truth.

What are 3 brands that don't exist anymore? ›

9 Iconic American Brands That No Longer Exist
  • Borders. 1/10. Once a behemoth book retailer, Borders wasn't able to adapt quickly enough to the technological changes of the 2000s. ...
  • Pan American. 2/10. ...
  • F.W. Woolworth. 3/10. ...
  • Toys R Us. 4/10. ...
  • Blockbuster. 5/10. ...
  • Tower Records. 6/10. ...
  • Compaq. 7/10. ...
  • Oldsmobile. 8/10.

What are the biggest companies that have failed? ›

  • Blockbuster. Profile: Blockbuster is a former provider of movies and video game rental services. ...
  • Enron. Profile: Enron was an American energy, commodities, and service company which was founded after the merger of Houston Natural Gas and InterNorth. ...
  • Blackberry. ...
  • Kodak. ...
  • Sears. ...
  • Pan-Am. ...
  • MySpace. ...
  • Yahoo.

What is the longest running business still in existence today? ›

Kongō Gumi

Is New York still the city that never sleeps? ›

Some business owners say perhaps not. Restaurants and bars are bringing in big business as New Yorkers return to dining and nightlife. But many say, after a certain time, venues and streets are quieter — as though the city that never sleeps is taking a nap.

How many restaurants permanently closed New York? ›

Based on estimates, that means 8,333 restaurants in New York state, 4,500 of which from New York City, have shut their doors. “The industry has been in survival mode throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, adapting to capacity limits, embracing outdoor dining and transitioning to more robust take-out and delivery options.

Is NY still a 24 hour town? ›

It's still the city that never sleeps. There are still people getting a pastrami sandwich at 3 a.m. and tacos at 4:30 a.m. But it's not just restaurants, and it's not just the pandemic.

Do employees still need to be vaccinated in NYC? ›

NYC to End Private Employer COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate on November 1, 2022. On September 20, 2022, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that the city will end its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for private employers on November 1.

Is it safe to go to NYC? ›

Although certain parts of New York City have crime issues, the city as a whole is a relatively safe place to visit. To stay safe during your trip, you'll need to use common sense and street smarts, and avoid unsafe neighborhoods.

Are employees quitting instead of returning to the office? ›

But that could be easier said than done: a survey from careers service Zety asked more than 1,000 US workers what their work expectations will be going into 2023, and 60% said they would rather quit their job than return to their desks five days a week.

Why did NYC stop being the capital? ›

Answer and Explanation: In the late 18th century, New York City was not the financial center and would not become a major metropolitan area until the 1830's. The question of the capital divided the North and South with the South concerned about the capital being held in a northern state as it was in Philadelphia.

What caused the New York blackout? ›

At 9:19 p.m., the final major interconnection to Upstate New York at Leeds substation tripped due to thermal overload which caused the 345 kV conductors to sag excessively into an unidentified object.

When did New York and company go out of business? ›

New York & Company, Inc.
Trade nameLerner Shops (1918–1992) Lerner New York (1992–2004) New York & Company (2004–present)
IndustryRetail
Founded1918
FateChapter 11 Bankruptcy
Headquarters330 West 34th Street New York
13 more rows

What caused New York Power Outage? ›

The blackout was caused by the tripping of a 230-kilovolt transmission line near Ontario, Canada, at 5:16 p.m., which caused several other heavily loaded lines also to fail.

What are 3 current issues about New York City? ›

New York City's biggest problems are “crime, crime, crime” — and the Big Apple won't recover from the COVID-19 pandemic until the streets and subways are safe again, Gov.

Is NYC still the capital of the world? ›

Home to the headquarters of the United Nations, New York is an important center for international diplomacy, an established safe haven for global investors, and is sometimes described as the capital of the world.

What is the largest blackout in US history? ›

The largest blackout in U.S. history by far was Hurricane Maria, which left hundreds of thousands of residents in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands without power for more than 100 days total. This was not only the biggest, but also the longest blackout in U.S. history.

How long did the New York blackout last? ›

The 1977 outage lasted 25 hours and led to looting in many neighborhoods. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month.

How many times has New York had a blackout? ›

Northeast blackout of 1965. New York City blackout of 1977. Northeast blackout of 2003. Manhattan blackout of July 2019.

Will New York and company remain online? ›

We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Sunrise Brands that will allow our significant e-commerce business to continue to operate and serve our loyal customers,” said Sheamus Toal, CEO of RTW.

What was the longest power outage ever? ›

Northeast Blackout (1965) On Tuesday, November 9, 1965 there was a major disruption in the power supply for the Northeast that left over 30 million people without power. This blackout lasted up to 13 hours and affected many areas of the Northeastern United States including: Connecticut.

Is New York going all electric? ›

Enshrined into law through the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, New York is on a path to achieve its mandated goal of a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and to reach economy wide carbon neutrality.

What is causing the power shortages? ›

Spikes – a temporary increase in the electrical supply voltage can result in a power outage. These are usually caused by lightning strikes, tripped circuit breakers or short circuits. Vehicles – motoring accidents resulting in broken poles or causing power lines to touch, can lead to an outage.

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