The basics:

• Forever 21 is closing all 354 U.S. stores by April 30
• Chain has struggled with growing online competition
• Move affects 59 workers at 15 New Jersey locations

After declaring bankruptcy for a second time, Forever 21 is permanently closing all of its U.S. stores.

In a filing with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, the Los Angeles-based fast-fashion retailer said store closing sales at its 354 leased locations are scheduled to end “no later than April 30, 2025.”

The website’s list of stores does not yet reflect already shuttered locations. USA Today reported that all outposts would close May 1.

Immediately after filing for Chapter 11 in March, Forever 21 began liquidating its stores. However, the banner also said if a buyer came forward with interest in the brand, it would “pivot away” from a full wind-down of operations.

Forever 21 has not said if a potential buyer emerged. A spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

According to a filing with the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development, the moves will impact 59 employees across the chain’s 15 stores in the state.

Founded in 1984, Forever 21 was popular among teen shoppers seeking stylish but affordable clothing. Of the 800 stores the company had at its peak a decade ago, the U.S. housed approximately 500.

Fast fashion competition

After filing for bankruptcy in September 2019, the chain closed about 180 locations as part of an effort to restructure. By February 2020, it was acquired for $81 million. That joint venture buyer comprised Authentic Brands Group, mall owner Simon Property Group and real estate company Brookfield Property Partners.

Forever 21 has continued to struggle in recent years against growing online competition, particularly from Chinese budget retailers like Temu and Shein.

Reports surfaced in March that Forever 21 was preparing to close 200 stores nationwide as it weighed a second bankruptcy filing. In its Chapter 11 petition, the company said foreign-based online sellers, rising costs and shifting consumer trends were to blame.

Brad Sell is CFO of F21 OpCo, operator of Forever 21 stores and licensee of the brand in the U.S. “While we have evaluated all options to best position the company for the future, we have been unable to find a sustainable path forward, given competition from foreign fast fashion companies, which have been able to take advantage of the de minimis exemption to undercut our brand on pricing and margin, as well as rising costs, economic challenges impacting our core customers and evolving consumer trends,” he said at the time.

Other licensees operate Forever 21’s 200 locations outside of the U.S. and are not included in the bankruptcy filing.