Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Storied apparel brand Brooks Brothers files for bankruptcy, as it seeks a buyer and closes dozens of stores
CNBC ^ | July 8, 2020 | Lauren Hirsch

Posted on 07/08/2020 5:51:35 AM PDT by C19fan

The coronavirus pandemic has now claimed one of the country’s oldest and most prestigious retailers. Brooks Brothers — pioneer of the polo and uniform of the polished prepster — filed for bankruptcy on Wednesday, as it continues to search for a buyer.

The retailer, which is more than two centuries old, boasts of having dressed 40 U.S. presidents and countless investment bankers. Early to the office-casual look, it became known for its crisp oxfords and jaunty sports jackets. But rent had become a burden, and the pandemic torpedoed a sale process that began in 2019.

(Excerpt) Read more at cnbc.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: brooksbrothers; brothers; economy; retail
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-37 next last

1 posted on 07/08/2020 5:51:35 AM PDT by C19fan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: C19fan

I am going to guess the company has been stripped of assets, highly in debt, paid special dividends to the private equity firm, massive executive bonuses...

And blaming COVID-19 for bankruptcy.


2 posted on 07/08/2020 5:52:48 AM PDT by 2banana (Common ground with islamic terrorists-they want to die for allah and we want to arrange the meeting)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2banana

I’m going to guess that the younger male generation dress like slobs. Brooks Brothers has no chance.


3 posted on 07/08/2020 5:54:58 AM PDT by angcat (THANK YOU LORD FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP!!!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: C19fan

I’m guessing that many of their debtors will be getting lawyered up for this.

“Brooks Brothers Suits”!


4 posted on 07/08/2020 5:55:59 AM PDT by 21twelve (Ever Vigilant. Never Fearful!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: C19fan
I have always loved the style of Brooks Brothers suits.

Timeless.

5 posted on 07/08/2020 5:58:55 AM PDT by RoosterRedux
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: angcat

“I’m going to guess that the younger male generation dress like slobs. Brooks Brothers has no chance.”

I am a employee benefits broker. 35+ years in the business. Still wear a suit and tie for new clients or to give a proposal etc but usually wear button down shirt with tie and kakis for current clients for service work. Always a tie though minimum.

Nearly all my competition mostly young folks wear golf shirts and I have seen even jeans. rarely see a tie.


6 posted on 07/08/2020 6:00:02 AM PDT by setter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: RoosterRedux

I liked their ladies wear.

Fortunately for my bottom line, they didn’t do tall.


7 posted on 07/08/2020 6:00:59 AM PDT by mewzilla (Break out the mustard seeds.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: C19fan

I wore Brooks Brothers clothes and a Burberry Trench Coat, when I worked in Midtown Manhattan at Rock Center, for 11yrs, back in the 70s.


8 posted on 07/08/2020 6:01:07 AM PDT by Carriage Hill (A society grows great when old men plant trees, in whose shade they know they will never sit.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: C19fan

The real Brooks Brothers died a long time ago. Brooks Bros. was bought from the original owner and it’s been struggling for a long time. Casual clothes at work was the real nail in the coffin


9 posted on 07/08/2020 6:01:09 AM PDT by captain_dave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: C19fan

I have bought, and own, lots of their stuff.

Last three years, quality is in the toilet. Not surprised they’re dead.


10 posted on 07/08/2020 6:01:21 AM PDT by Jim Noble (Think like youÂ’re right, listen like youÂ’re wrong)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2banana

No need for suits when working from home.


11 posted on 07/08/2020 6:04:44 AM PDT by ptsal (Vote R.E.D. >>>Remove Every Democrat ***)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: setter

...but usually wear button down shirt with tie and kakis for current clients for service work.

12 posted on 07/08/2020 6:05:19 AM PDT by Red Badger (To a liberal, 9-11 was 'illegal fireworks activity'..........................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: C19fan

I use Joseph A Bank Company. Have a whole wardrobe with very nice suits. Much more economical than Brooks.

However in retirement I find the suits shrink while hanging in the closet.


13 posted on 07/08/2020 6:05:48 AM PDT by where's_the_Outrage? (Drain the Swamp. Build the Wall.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2banana

I’m going to head down to the valley and pick up a few shirts at going out of business prices. The Milano fit (athletic fit) is as close to a tailored shirt as I can get off the rack and the material is great.


14 posted on 07/08/2020 6:06:35 AM PDT by Sirius Lee (They are openly stating that they intend to murder us. Prep if you want to live.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: C19fan

A friend noted to me that during the recent rioting and looting not a single Brooks Brothers store suffered any signficant losses. It was likely this messaging that actually lead corporate execs to the conclusion that their days were numbered.


15 posted on 07/08/2020 6:07:28 AM PDT by MarDav
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: C19fan

didn’t they get “woke”


16 posted on 07/08/2020 6:08:46 AM PDT by russdawg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: where's_the_Outrage?

No offense but those Joseph A Banks suits are very cheap looking.


17 posted on 07/08/2020 6:10:17 AM PDT by tuffydoodle (God's character and moral nature are absolute, eternal, and unchanging.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: setter

Insurance Underwriter here, 24 years.

When I first started in the home office it was a suit every day. At some point is was business casual Fridays. Which then became business casual everyday. The it was simply casual Fridays. I’ve worked remote now since 2007 from my home (which, LOL, is shorts and T-shit) but have routine trips back to the home office for meetings, clients, just some face time. It’s pretty much jeans and a nice shirt now. Amazing the dress code change in 20-some years.


18 posted on 07/08/2020 6:17:32 AM PDT by BBQToadRibs
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: where's_the_Outrage?

Haha. I hear you. They shrink a bit every year.


19 posted on 07/08/2020 6:21:46 AM PDT by dhouston
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: BBQToadRibs

I recall my first office job in the early 80’s. The guys all wore suits and ties, typically black or blue suits with white or light blue shirts and red or blue ties and us gals wore dresses or skirts below the knee with button down blouses and blazers and panty hose and high heeled shoes - no pants allowed for us women.

The thing was that my job at the time was completely back office, I never saw or interacted with clients or the public. I remember trying to kneel down to pull the bottom drawer of a file cabinet open to do filing and how uncomfortable and impractical that was in a dress or skirt and blazer and hose and high heels. And God forbid you got a run in your hose.

I remember the first thing I did in those days when I got home was to take off those uncomfortable clothes, especially the panty hose and get into jeans and a tee shirt.

The last several office jobs I’ve had were casual dress, several allowing jeans or kakis and polo shirts and such. I like this much better. I find I’m more productive when I’m comfortable, when my feet aren’t aching from wearing heels and my panty hose aren’t chafing or my toes not peeking through them.


20 posted on 07/08/2020 6:33:41 AM PDT by MD Expat in PA (No. I am not a doctor nor have I ever played one on TV. The MD in my screen name stands for Maryland)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-37 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson