It’s the Signet-owned banner’s first location in Georgia.
Retail Rewind: The Year of Chapter 11
From Neiman Marcus to Lord & Taylor, here’s a look back at the biggest bankruptcies of the year and where the retailers are now.
![Neiman Marcus, JC Penney and a few other big-name retailers all filed Chapter 11 in 2020. 20201222_Bankruptcy_header.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/876f80086a7c8348e8a1491b46a5c09c.jpg)
I put this list together last year and I tried to end on a cheerful note, encouraging readers to raise their glasses to a revamped retail landscape in 2020.
When they say, “be careful what you wish for,” this must be what they mean because retail certainly got an overhaul this year.
Here’s a look back on the retailers with fine jewelry connections that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this year and a look at what’s next, for some of them.
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De Grisogono
Luxury jewelry house De Grisogono was one of the first notable bankruptcies of the year.
The company filed for bankruptcy in Switzerland in January after getting tangled in a corruption investigation in Angola.
An investigation by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and 36 media partners said the company played a key role in a money-laundering scheme that funneled billions of dollars from the Angolan government into the coffers of the former first family.
De Grisogono told National Jeweler at the time that it spent several months looking for a buyer, but ultimately came up empty-handed, filing for bankruptcy due to insolvency.
By February, its U.S. division had filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in New York.
The company’s statement did not address what would happen to its stores, including 13 boutiques at the time of filing.
De Grisogono’s New York boutique, located on Madison Avenue in Manhattan, is listed as temporarily closed via Google Maps, while its store in Las Vegas at The Crystals is listed as permanently closed.
The jeweler’s website, DeGrisogono.com, no longer appears to be active.
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Neiman Marcus
Neiman Marcus was among a handful of major retailers filing for bankruptcy in 2020.
The luxury department store chain filed Chapter 11 in May amid its struggle with mounting debt.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused an “unprecedented disruption,” said the retailer, leading it to temporarily close its 43 locations and furlough 14,000 workers.
The retailer announced plans to reorganize and emerge from bankruptcy by the fall. And it made good on that promise, completing its restructuring process and reducing its debt.
It also found new owners, including investment firms PIMCO, Davidson Kempner Capital Management, and Sixth Street.
The most notable closure was its Hudson Yards location, a 188,000-square-foot store in the new and upscale New York City shopping center.
Call it a holiday miracle, or just the power of hundreds of millions of dollars in financing, but Neiman Marcus is in the swing of the holiday season, offering in-store and online shopping as well as virtual appointments.
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JC Penney
JC Penney also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May.
The culprits were the same: mounting debt and the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Due to COVID-19, the department store chain temporarily closed its more than 850 locations and furloughed most of its 85,000 workers.
The retailer came up with a restructuring plan, looking to reduce its debt by several billion dollars.
Part of that plan was permanently closing around 200 locations with more closures to follow in 2021.
On the bright side, the retailer is exiting bankruptcy just in time for the holidays after selling its retail and operating assets in an $800 million deal with mall owners Simon Property Group and Brookfield Asset Management.
The deal is expected to keep 650 of its 850 locations open and save 70,000 of its 85,000 jobs.
The court also approved the company’s reorganization plan to split itself into two parts: a retailer and a property holding company, comprised of 160 of its real estate assets and all of its owned distribution centers.
JC Penney also has access to $1.5 billion in new financing. How’s that for a stocking stuffer?
In National Jeweler’s 2020 State of the Majors report, JC Penney stood at No. 8 on the list of $100 Million Supersellers with an estimated $641 million in annual jewelry and watch sales.
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Brooks Brothers
I imagine the Brooks Brothers team looked incredibly stylish on their way to file for bankruptcy protection in July.
The 202-year-old retailer, known for its preppy attire and fancy suits, was in need of financing and a new owner.
The company had begun looking for a buyer or a merger opportunity in 2019, but COVID-19 threw a wrench in the plans.
Largely a clothing retailer, Brooks Brothers is included on this list because of its jewelry subsidiary, Deconic Group LLC, which manufactures, merchandises, markets, sells and licenses the Alexis Bittar and Carolee fashion jewelry brands.
A spokesperson told National Jeweler back in July that the filing would have no effect on the delivery of the jewelry brands, as it was not going through a liquidation process, only a sale.
A familiar face, or two, swooped in to buy the storied retailer: mall owner Simon Property Group and licensing firm Authentic Brands Group.
The companies offered, and Brooks Brothers accepted, $325 million, a deal that kept 125 of its 424 retail locations open.
The Simon-ABG joint venture, known as the SPARC Group, has also teamed up to buy other struggling retailers, including Aéropostale and Forever 21.
Authentic Brands Group also acquired the intellectual property of Barneys New York, which made the bankruptcy list last year.
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Lord & Taylor
Lord & Taylor joined Barneys New York as one of the classic New York department stores that are no more.
The department store chain, once a dry goods store, was founded by English immigrants Samuel Lord and George Washington Taylor in Manhattan’s Lower East Side in 1826.
It was a trailblazer and a retail pioneer in its heyday, bringing American designers into the spotlight and introducing the concept of personal shopping. It also selected Dorothy Shaver as its president in 1945, the first woman to lead a major retail store.
The 194-year-old retailer and its owner, clothing rental company Le Tote, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in August.
Le Tote acquired the retailer, said to be the oldest department store chain in the United States, in November 2019 from Hudson’s Bay Company for $100 million.
Lord & Taylor’s 38 locations shut down temporarily in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and later, for good. The department store chain was on the lookout for a new owner, but no one stepped forward.
Though all of its locations are set to close, there are some stores still open for now.
For those holiday shoppers looking for a deal, Lord & Taylor locations are holding liquidation sales, though online shopping is no longer available.
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CBL Properties and PREIT
Between lockdowns and social distancing measures, malls, already struggling with declining foot traffic, had an especially difficult 2020.
Mall owners CBL Properties and the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust, or PREIT, both filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November.
CBL operates 107 malls and outlet centers in 26 states, primarily in the Midwest and Southeast.
Signet Jewelers is the company’s second-largest retailer, with 138 stores accounting for 3 percent of its total revenues, according to court papers included in the bankruptcy filing.
PREIT has 19 malls in eight states.
The pair of mall owners, in need of financing, both entered into restructuring agreements with lenders.
The malls remain open as they work through the restructuring process.
The Latest
![These “Double Loop” earrings feature a drop-cut amethyst sitting atop the lower hoop, totaling 1.60 carats between both earrings. The hoops are made of silver covered in “pistacchio” colored enamel, while 9-karat yellow gold holds the stones in place and connect the two hoops behind the earlobe ($1,770). Bea Bongiasca’s Double Loop Earrings](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/f338ef6b4603be3c97765f833b831ca0.jpg)
Commemorate “brat summer” with these green hoops.
Sponsored by Gemological Institute of America
![Untitled design.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/583fbcb2bb839782810080debef35d3c.jpg)
As the demand for lab-grown diamond jewelry may still be increasing, the most notable change we are likely to see is price stabilization.
![Earlier this month, online giant Amazon and the Better Business Bureau filed a joint federal lawsuit against ReviewServiceUSA.com for allegedly selling fake reviews, both positive and negative. Amazon package outside door](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/27fce4225a38900d54a5536ce523a22d.jpg)
They claim ReviewServiceUSA.com was selling both positive and negative reviews of products and businesses.
![](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/99a46b30cc354962ac2e29ecd113587a.jpg)
![A shot of the Venetia diamond mine in South Africa, owned by De Beers Group. The diamond miner and marketer saw revenue drop 21 percent and rough diamond sales decline 20 percent in a “weak” market for diamonds. De Beers’ Venetia diamond mine](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/a1f16ceaaba662e80385166060d192a7.jpg)
Lab-grown diamond sales in the United States and ongoing economic challenges in China are impacting natural diamond demand.
A longtime member of IJO, she’s remembered for her passion for design, learning, and environmentalism.
![1872 x 1052 Gemolite.jpg](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/9d60901b44425a53b9010301897a3bbc.jpg)
GIA®’s most advanced microscope has new features to optimize greater precision and comfort.
![A malachite and diamond bracelet from Pomellato’s “Pom Pom Dot” collection, launched earlier this year. Pomellato and Boucheron were bright spots for Kering in an otherwise underwhelming first half of the year. Pomellato Malachite Pom Pom Dot bracelet](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/3c237b62e009742fc52487097daf3c5a.jpg)
The gains come amid a tough time for parent company Kering, which saw sales slide 11 percent in the first half of the year.
![Volunteers and Shane Co.’s corporate team from all 22 locations of the family-owned jewelry chain have begun packing backpacks with school supplies for teachers to distribute to their students this school year. Shane Co. and the Kids in Need foundation logo](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/1c5abfb36ec775724f014f47bfbb47fc.jpg)
The fine jewelry retailer filled backpacks with back-to-school essentials for students in 13 states.
![A shot from the advertising campaign for LVMH-owned Bulgari’s “Eden the Garden of Wonders” high jewelry collection. LVMH’s jewelry and watch sales slipped in the first half of the fiscal year. Bulgari high jewelry campaign](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/c24eb75ca8cea44d2e9859648f4a98ee.jpg)
Tiffany & Co. is focusing on its “iconic” collections while the company has made changes at the top at TAG Heuer and Hublot.
![Chaumet, a Parisian jeweler owned by LVMH, has designed the Olympic and Paralympic Games medals. Chaumet Paris 2024 Olympics medals](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/7831b3a738baddfc7d783e6df0fbf796.jpg)
The Parisian brand is the first jewelry company in the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to design the medals.
![The acquisition of Union Life & Casualty by Jewelers Mutual will help strengthen both the pawn market and the insurance industry, said JM. Jewelers Mutual and Union Life and Casualty logos](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/195925667226ecfc51b4e1bb09607143.jpg)
Union Life & Casualty will join JM Insurance Agency Partners, expanding the provider’s pawnbroker coverage.
![The winner of this year’s Lonia Tate scholarship, Bradlei Smith will receive the opportunity to earn her Graduate Gemologist diploma from GIA and, following graduation, an internship at Ben Bridge Jeweler in Seattle. Bradlei Smith](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/996834935ae30a7a1195db8b9db6cb7d.jpg)
Los Angeles-based Bradlei Smith was selected for this year’s award.
![Peter Smith is an industry consultant, speaker, sales trainer, and author. He can be reached via email at TheRetailSmiths@gmail.com. National Jeweler columnist Peter Smith](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/bec7295a7f478778b1c196e6d81e7cd9.jpg)
In his latest column, Smith shares multiple reasons why people who look at the glass as being hall full often make better salespeople.
![De Beers Group mined 6.4 million carats of diamonds in the second quarter of 2024, down from 7.6 million in the same period last year. (©De Beers Group/Photo credit: Ben Perry @ Armoury Films) De Beers rough diamond display](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/80cd02b1c8384f4b2efda0bcdf6a75e1.jpg)
The company also reported the $150 million sale of an iron ore royalty right, part of its ongoing effort to divest “non-core” assets.
![In honor of its summer bridal event, Long’s Jewelers is partnering with Wequassett Resort and Golf Club on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, and jewelry brand JB Star on a vacation giveaway. Long’s Jewelers giveaway promo](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/4e7a90944c4e8875a4f3818dbe26b28b.jpg)
The giveaway is part of the New England jeweler’s summer bridal event.
![L.A.-based flower designer, Sophia Moreno-Bunge models Guzema’s “Hidden Beauty” collection in front of a garden in Rustic Canyon in Santa Monica, California. Sophia Moreno-Bunge of Isa Isa modeling Guzema’s Hidden Beauty collection](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/6f3822623eb7fd2f6468f82825194cb1.jpg)
The ad features three celebrity florists creating floral sculptures while wearing jewelry by Guzema.
![The Entrepreneurship Grants program supports winners with financial aid to scale their businesses and increase their societal impact, said Diamonds Do Good. Pictured here are three of the 13 winners, top right is Tresia Shituula, and bottom row left to right, are Monkgogi Moshaga and Mohamed Samu. Tresia Shituula, Monkgogi Moshaga, Mohamed Samu](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/a7c9b87301b76a9446f6522747ce5b95.jpg)
The grant provided a total of $100,000 to support 13 entrepreneurs from diamond communities in Africa and India.
![Ghazi Osta, better known as Gus, was the owner and president of Volusia Gold & Diamond, a store he and his wife, Leigh Osta, opened in 1986. He was shot and killed inside the store Friday afternoon after a brief argument with a regular customer. (Photo courtesy of Volusia Gold & Diamond Facebook page) Ghazi “Gus” Michel Osta](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/c8c1fa3df746cbd364915a98dcac9d21.jpg)
Ghazi Michel Osta, or “Gus,” was killed Friday by an 83-year-old man said to be a frequent customer at his store, Volusia Gold & Diamond.
![Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez (left) is the Responsible Jewellery Council’s new head of North American development, and Effie Marinos is its new specialist advisor for technical standards. Elyssa Jenkins-Perez and Effie Marinos](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/94332af0c7a776e7a8c36fabf76baa5f.jpg)
The organization also announced Effie Marinos as its new specialist advisor for technical standards, as well as four other appointments.
![Karen Rentmeesters, who joined the Antwerp World Diamond Centre in 2010, will take on the role of CEO. Karen Rentmeesters](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/3256fcc71cd43a399055c61f68486269.jpg)
Rentmeesters has served as interim CEO since April following former CEO Ari Epstein’s resignation.
![Longtime Washington, D.C., jeweler Brian Mann (right) with his wife Jessie Mann, an artist who custom-paints porcelain Limoges Boxes, at a 2016 Jewelers of America member event. Mann, the longtime co-owner of David Mann Jewelers, died June 21 at age 70. Brian and Jessie Mann](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/be4debc6e0b3198943a66ef0e2197c2c.jpg)
Mann, whose family’s jewelry store was located inside the Pentagon, is remembered for being a thoughtful champion of the industry.
![The 1916 Company recently opened a new Tudor boutique in Denver’s Cherry Creek Shopping Center. Tudor store in Denver](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/9f8600ea53ed731963331ebd28a10d16.jpg)
The 500-square-foot boutique is located in Denver’s Cherry Creek Shopping Center.
![This necklace from Messika’s “So Move Max” set is made of yellow gold with 19.18-carats of brilliant-cut diamonds and designed with circle motifs that move within the links (price upon request). Messika’s So Move Max Necklace](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/14c78af4a4e8c6b996a81bbb5a5bc69f.jpg)
Dance all night long with the “So Move Max” set’s necklace.
![On Sept. 1, Julien Tornare (left), current CEO of TAG Heuer, will become CEO of Hublot. Antoine Pin, now the general manager of Bulgari’s watch business, will take over Tornare’s role as CEO of TAG Heuer. (Images courtesy of LinkedIn) Julien Tornare and Antoine Pin](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/b24627b34ece895ddd254bae22751fb8.jpg)
Luxury giant LVMH is reshuffling the leadership in its watches division.
![A rendering of a billboard from Etsy’s new campaign. The campaign is designed to highlight the platform’s creators and how their products are made. Etsy billboard rendering in NYC](https://uploads.nationaljeweler.com/uploads/9a94f394f326b90dc1c9da6a711c5e09.jpg)
Sellers and shoppers have spoken out against a rise in mass-produced merchandise on the platform meant to highlight handmade goods.