SurveysJan 30, 2026
These Are the Top Brands of 2026, Says YouGovFrom tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
MajorsFeb 05, 2020
Forever 21 Reaches $81M Deal to Sell the Business
Mall owners Simon Property Group and Brookfield Property Partners and licensing company Authentic Brands Group want to buy the bankrupt fast-fashion retailer.
A Forever 21 store on New York City’s Fifth Avenue. The Los Angeles-based retailer has found a buyer following its bankruptcy filing in September 2019. (Image courtesy of Forever 21)
Los Angeles—Forever 21 has found a buyer.
The fast fashion retailer reached an $81 million deal to sell its retail business to Authentic Brands Group and mall owners Simon Property Group and Brookfield Property Partners, as per court documents filed Sunday.
Forever 21 filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Sept., announcing plans to close stores in the U.S. and internationally.
In a statement, Forever 21 said of the sale: “Once approved the agreement will allow Forever 21 to come out of bankruptcy, keeping its headquarters, stores and ecommerce operations open, providing fashions and trends that customers know and love for years to come.”
The Los Angeles-based company’s first international store opened in Canada in 2001.
By 2015, the company had 251 international stores, expanding to 40 countries across five continents.
In a court statement last fall, Chief Restructuring Officer Jonathan Goulding pointed to the company’s swift growth as a factor in its bankruptcy.
“Unfortunately, this rapid international expansion challenged Forever 21’s single supply chain and the styles failed to resonate over time across other continents despite its initial success,” he said.
In its bankruptcy announcement, the company said it planned to close up to 350 stores.
Simon Property Group and Brookfield Property Partners are two of the company’s biggest landlords, reported CNBC, with Simon malls alone housing nearly 100 Forever 21 stores.
The report noted that Simon and fellow mall owner General Growth Properties, now owned by Brookfield, employed a similar strategy of buying tenant businesses headed for bankruptcy in 2016 when they were part of a group that won the auction to keep retailer Aeropostale out of bankruptcy court.
Simon’s malls housed 160 Aeropostale stores while General Growth Properties had 77.
In court, Forever 21 requested approval to name the potential buyers above in a “stalking horse” bid, which occurs when a bankrupt company chooses a bidder to make the first bid in order to set a minimum.
Licensing company Authentic Brands Group also took part in a stalking horse bid for Barneys New York, buying its assets alongside investment bank B. Riley Financial Inc.
Interested parties can submit their bids until Feb. 7 and, if there are bids, an auction will be held Feb. 10.
The retailer is moving quickly, seeking approval of the sale by Feb. 11.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Majors
The Latest
CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ RingThe “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
AuctionsJan 29, 2026
These Were Bonhams’ Top 10 Jewelry Lots in 2025The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.
Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone MarketSponsored by RapNet
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Lugano Diamonds Finds a BuyerInvestment firm Enhanced Retail Funding, a division of Gordon Brothers, was the successful bidder.
