https://www.foxbusiness.com/retail/quiksilver-billabong-volcom-us-stores-close-after-liberated-brands-files-bankruptcy

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JMA

https://www.foxbusiness.com/re...rands-files-bankruptcy

The bankruptcy seems only US. Volcom seems to have been the most viable brand. The role of Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach as HQ for clothing brands is gone. One thriving Costa Mesa company is Yucca Fins, as in "swim more". Vissla is Aliso Viejo and Queensland. Rip Curl is owned by Kathmandu, a New Zealand merino wool outfit, busy retailer. Lots of small surfy brands seem to be doing fine.

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wavewatcher - >ww - >wavewatcher, again

Investment groups killed them. Fire the talent that made you popular, cost costs at every corner, then suck out every dollar until there in nothing left but an empty husk.

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I was right.

Edited: 02/15/2025 at 06:36 AM by Cole

The only good that hopefully came out of this was that maybe a few founders/early employees got some cash on the door out. Support brands that are still owned by surfers.It's amazing that VC only needs like a one in 5 success rate to pay for all their mistakes- but rest assured there is no talent pool there compared to people that actually started their own business.........Venture/Vulture Capita.....

Shop-Eat-Surf x Outdoor published an explanatory story, correcting some mistakes in other media sources. The situation looks somewhat promising.



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wavewatcher - >ww - >wavewatcher, again

If they aren't folding, why the heavy discounts and store closures? I guess it's a last minute cash out with surf shop owners holding the bag.

In short, there will be some Billabong, some Volcom and some Quik. Maybe.

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I was right.

The goods for sale online are property of Liberated Brands, as were leases on those hundred or so stores that are closing. A new outfit has been selected to take over some or all of the brands and (as the story notes) should be up an running next month. Retailers, including surf shops, are in a mess.

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wavewatcher - >ww - >wavewatcher, again

The 60% off sale seems to have sold stuff fast. It was an opportunity to see if my real wetsuit size is LS, at reasonable cost. Looks like that's the case. I've become extremely sensative to cold. Feels silly to be wearing a 4/3 or even a 5/4 on cool Florida days.

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wavewatcher - >ww - >wavewatcher, again

$70 Billabong baggies, $9.99 at Ross.

It's the same for Quiksilver.

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I was right.

Didn't spot any at Ross or competitors, but Quik online today has wetsuits in a few sizes (M and L pretty good) for 70% off.

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wavewatcher - >ww - >wavewatcher, again

Ebay is loaded with baggies. The bulk buyers have swooped in and cleaned the places out.



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I was right.

Correction: It was RVCA with a few wetsuits left. I've avoided Ebay and haven't been much impressed with Ross or TJ Maxx/Marshalls. The super low prices have enabled trying a size smaller in wetsuits. Good results, and welcome--I've been very cold sensitive this season, shivering a lot.

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wavewatcher - >ww - >wavewatcher, again

Just curios what is being sold? Is it day clothing, wet clothing (baggies, rash guards) and wetsuits? Are the sales only online or are they available at physical stores such as Ross, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, etc?

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"Surf everyday as though it were a gift!" -- John Holeman

Ross and Co. stores are all about the timing since the days of Covid. I used to make decent side cash reselling the high-line soccer stuff and athletic shoes, but now there are entire stores on eBay that are nothing but Ross resales. People will fill carts and resell at a 10 percent profit, so things like cheap baggies and rash guards get vacuumed up as fast as they can hang them on the racks.

If you do get lucky and score some deals at Ross, the other Ross stores will have the same merchandise... if you can get to it before the bulk buyers.

TJ Maxx and Marshall's have the occasional deal, but their prices are usually a little higher and they get less inventory.

As for what they sell, it's shorts, baggies, rash guards, socks, undies, hoodies and jackets. I have found some vests and booties, but they are rare. I scored a $350 gore-tex jacket for $60 a few weeks ago, so you never know unless you go.

P.S. I am referring to the brick and mortar stores.



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I was right.

Edited: 03/03/2025 at 03:49 PM by Cole

Cole - thanks for the info.

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"Surf everyday as though it were a gift!" -- John Holeman

No problem.

And if you ever find yourself at the Loop in Kissimmee, don't bother with the Ross. It's a tourist destination and the line looks like something you would see at a theme park.





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I was right.

Edited: 03/04/2025 at 12:15 PM by Cole

I tend toward clearance items at Target and Dillards. And the amazingly busy St Vincent de Paul thrift shop in Vero, which makes great excuses for wearing vintage sports jackets in the winter. They're going to expand. Online, my favorite boardshort item in the past year was Patagonia's fanciest, still expensive when marked down but I think will get lots of use once it warms up. I remain impressed by traditional Katin nylon trunks, even if they're made in Taiwan and Hobie sometimes has affordable USA equivalents.

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wavewatcher - >ww - >wavewatcher, again