Consumer
Ex-Volcom, Billabong Retailer Liberated Brands Files Bankruptcy
- Authentic Brands terminated Liberated’s license in December
- Liberated to close retail stores and wind-down US operations
The bankruptcy filing caps a rapid rise and sudden fall of a business that was founded in 2019.
Photographer: William West/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
Liberated Brands, which until recently operated skateboard and surfing-inspired retail brands including Quiksilver, Billabong and Volcom, has filed bankruptcy as more customers choose “fast fashion” competitors.
Liberated sought court protection in Delaware Sunday, saying it intends to close its stores as part of a wind-down of its North American operations. The company, which had operated the brands under a deal with brand licenser Authentic Brands Group LLC, said it will also seek to sell its international businesses and has closed its corporate offices and laid off nearly 1,400 employees.