Bargain Hunt is shutting down all its stores following a bankruptcy filing and going-out-of-business sale. Questions arise about the closure dates for Billabong, Quiksilver, and Volcom. Notifications on the websites of these brands inform customers that gift cards will not be accepted after Feb. 16. It remains uncertain if the retail stores will close by that date, although Liberated Brands reported having only enough cash to operate for one more week.
Liberated Brands announced a management transition involving the transfer of brand licenses to new holders to ensure continuity and future success. Despite the challenges, the company expressed optimism about the future of its brands and mentioned that some employees have secured new opportunities with other license holders.
Until the closure of over 100 U.S. stores is enforced, they will continue serving customers. Liberated, as a licensee, operated Billabong, Quiksilver, Volcom, and four other brands owned by Authentic Brands Group, a global brand development company. Authentic Brands stated that all licenses previously held by Liberated had been transitioned to new partners before the bankruptcy.
Liberated Brands faced liquidity challenges in 2024, leading to unsuccessful attempts to stabilize the business through various measures, including seeking investments, exploring a sale, renegotiating leases, implementing cost-saving measures, and negotiating payment plans. By December 2024, the company had lost its North American license rights for wholesale operations under certain brands.
The news that Billabong, Quiksilver, and Volcom are set to shut down all of their stores in the United States due to bankruptcy was recently reported in USA TODAY.
