BUSINESS
Express files for bankruptcy as consumers shift to casual fashion

The company, which owns Bonobos and UpWest, will close 95 of its namesake shops and all 10 UpWest stores

By Jaclyn Peiser and Aaron Gregg
April 22, 2024 at 11:02 a.m. EDT



An Express store in Valley West Mall in West Des Moines, Iowa, on Jan. 22, 2020. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

Express, once a staple in malls across the country, filed for bankruptcy Monday as consumers continue to shift away from formal and business attire and lean into casual and comfort.

The company, which includes menswear brand Bonobos and clothing brand UpWest, said it will close 95 Express locations and all 10 UpWest stores. Closing sales will begin Tuesday. The Chapter 11 filing will not affect the online or app shopping experience.

In a news release, the Columbus, Ohio-based retailer said it plans to operate as usual while it begins the process for a court-supervised sale. WHP Global, Simon Property Group and Brookfield Properties intend to purchase a majority of the company’s retail stores and operations.

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By Jaclyn Peiser
Jaclyn Peiser covers retail for The Washington Post. She previously worked overnight on The Post's Morning Mix team and covered the media industry for the New York Times. Twitter https://twitter.com/jackiepeiser

By Aaron Gregg
Aaron Gregg is a business reporter for the Washington Post. Twitter https://twitter.com/Post_AG