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By Suzanne Blake
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More than 100 stores will close now that Liberated Brands has filed for bankruptcy, which affects the Quiksilver, Billabong and Volcom brands.
Why It Matters
The three chains, known for their millennial surfer and skateboard apparel, are closing their doors amid a larger trend of brick-and-mortar stores going out of business. Retail chains have faced economic turbulence since the coronavirus pandemic, as more consumers turn to doing their shopping online.
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What To Know
In total, over 100 locations for Quiksilver, Billabong and Volcom across the country will shut down within the next few weeks after Liberated Brands filed a voluntary petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Delaware bankruptcy court.
Who Owns Quiksilver, Billabong and Volcom?
All three brands were under Liberated Brands as their license operator in December 2023 after Authentic Brands Group purchased the brands.
Liberated has "worked tirelessly over the last year to propel these iconic brands forward, but a volatile global economy, consumer spending changes amid a rising cost of living and inflationary pressures have all taken a heavy toll," the company said in a statement.
List of Billabong, Quiksilver and Volcom Stores Closing
The Volcom store closures will be in the following locations:
Hawaii: Haleiwa, Waipahu, Lahaina, Wailea, Waikoloa and all three Honolulu locations
Florida: Altamonte Springs, Lake Buena Vista, Ellenton, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Sunrise, Miramar Beach, St. Augustine and Tampa
California: Barstow, Cabazon, Camarillo, Carlsbad, Commerce, Folsom, Gilroy, Milpitas, Irvine, San Diego, Livermore, Northridge, Ontario, Orange, Pismo Beach, Santa Barbara, Tulare, Vacaville and Bakersfield
Virginia: Virginia Beach
New Jersey: Tinton Falls, Elizabeth and Central Valley
Idaho: Boise
Colorado: Boulder, Denver and Lone Tree
Arizona: Chandler and Tucson
Washington: Centralia and North Bend
Oregon: Happy Valley and Woodburn
New Mexico: Albuquerque
Utah: Murray, Park City and Lehi
Nevada: Sparks and all Las Vegas locations
Texas: San Marcos
While the two other chains have not disclosed their store locations, all Quiksilver and Billabong stores are closing.
When Did Liberated Brands File for Bankruptcy?
Liberated Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Sunday after around a year of financial struggle. During the pandemic, Liberated increased its retail footprint from 67 to 140 stores but then saw customer demand weaken as inflation surged.
Many other top retailers have announced mass store closures over the past year, including Kohl's and Macy's. In 2025, customers can expect more than 15,000 store closures, according to Coresight Research.
What People Are Saying
Liberated Brands said Monday in a press release: "The company has been in the process of transitioning its brand licenses to new license holders as part of a management transition to ensure continuity for the brands and their success moving forward. This filing does not impact the future of the brands, as they have already transitioned to new, well-capitalized partners who are actively investing in their growth and long-term success."
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor at the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: "The company cited multiple reasons for these closures and their ongoing economic woes. And in this situation, all of those reasons aren't excuses but true realities. Liberated Brands has a number of retailers that had fashions more relevant and competitively priced in years past but are now facing pressure from competitors who have dramatically cheaper options and, from a corporate angle, more than likely less debt.
"If your retailers aren't en vogue and occupying expensive real estate, it gets more and more difficult to maintain them, especially in an economy of higher interest rates and increased rental prices for existing storefronts," Beene said.
What Happens Next
While the stores are closing within the next several weeks, the three brands will be moving to different operators, which will continue to produce the chains' clothing.
In the meantime, shoppers are likely to see storewide sales on items before the stores shutter for good.
Update 2/7/25, 12:01 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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