We all know what they say about the good times.
They’re awfully fun, but they aren’t meant to last.
Related: Iconic ice cream chain unexpectedly closing locations
Such is the case for so many fast fashion retailers, who have struggled to maintain their stronghold on the global economy in recent years.
Of course, this wasn’t always the case.
Being a fast fashion retailer, particularly in a mall or on a high street, was an easy way to dominate sales a decade or two ago.
Take Forever 21, for example.
The mall-based fast fashion retailer had brick and mortar stores everywhere that mattered, from nearly every indoor shopping mall in the U.S. to a massive glimmering store in Times Square in New York City.
But as online competitors like Shein rose to prominence, it no longer became fashionable to go into a Forever 21 store and pick through the racks for hours looking for your size — and a good deal.
The mall retailer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for a second time in March 2025 and is in the process of closing all of its roughly 350 stores across the U.S.
It will, however, try to continue to maintain an online operation.
A Select store in Manchester, England, on Wednesday 16th September 2015.
Fast fashion continues to struggle
This isn’t a specific case for Forever 21.
Plenty of other fast fashion retailers have fallen out of favor as customers opt for the e-commerce shopping experience.
And it makes sense why.
More closings:
Another struggling mall retail chain closing more storesStruggling supermarket chain closes more locationsPopular bank closing dozens of branches (locations revealed)
Many fast fashion retailers carry a lot of inventory, and online shopping makes it much easier to filter for your size, preferred style, colors, or other preferences using online tools than sifting through often disorganized clothing racks and bins in stores.
Plus, many fast fashion companies are notoriously unsustainable. Some have been accused of using high levels of harmful chemicals in their clothing or promoting unsafe or inhumane labor practices to churn out their inventory quickly and cheaply.
And as an increasingly concerned Gen Z and other young generations pay attention to sustainability, these shops are falling out of favor.
Another fashion retailer closing
And now, Select Fashion, a U.K.-based clothing store primarily aimed at women, is closing up shop.
Select Fashion has been met with financial struggles in recent years; it incurred a £1.1 million loss in fiscal year ending February 2023. It chalked up its difficulties to a soaring cost of living in the U.K., inflation and rising prices, and taxes.
While the chain has not initiated a legal bankruptcy, it has run out of money and will begin winding down stores.
Insolvency firm Moorfields is helping Select Fashion liquidate and close about 35 stores across the U.K.
Related: Struggling retailer closing more stores after shuttering 1,000
“Please be assured that your wages will be processed and paid out next week,” Select Fashion reportedly emailed its affected employees. “We are doing everything we can to resolve this matter as swiftly as possible and appreciate your understanding during this difficult time.”
At its height, Select Fashion operated over 100 stores. About 48 stores are expected to remain open and operate under a new partnership with Essence Fashion Limited.
