Fast fashion retailer Forever 21 is nearing the end of its four-decade run.
There is no “forever” for the iconic brand that clothed generations of teens and young women who made it their go-to shop for trendy fashions at affordable prices. The company’s parent filed for bankruptcy on March 16—its second in six years—and, unable to secure a buyer, has decided to close all 354 Forever 21 store locations in the U.S., including the store at Cherry Hill Mall.
“Going Out of Business” and “Entire Store 20% to 40% Off” signs were plastered on the store’s windows on both the first and second levels at the Cherry Hill location.
Kayla Quinones, 18, of Gloucester Township, did a double take when she saw the signage.
“I had to come here to see it for myself,” said the high school senior. “I used to come here all the time with my friends. I’m devastated.”
As she flipped through denim jeans on sale, Quinones added that she was likely “buying the last items I can get before the store closes.”
“It’s crazy a store can just disappear like that in the blink of an eye,” she said.
Forever 21 was founded in 1984 in Los Angeles by South Korean husband-and-wife duo Do Won and Jin Sook Chang, and quickly became a global fast fashion phenomenon, known for producing clothes at a rapid pace and selling them at relatively low prices.
It joined a wave of international brands that populated U.S. malls and relied on a similar model—including Zara from Spain, Uniqlo from Japan, Primark from Ireland, and H&M from Sweden.
“I always went to Forever 21 for the huge selection,” said K’Triqa K’Aura-Lee, 31, of Northwest Philadelphia, who was among those searching for deals last Thursday at the Cherry Hill Mall store.
K’Aura-Lee, who designs clothes from home, said she began shopping at Forever 21 in her early teens.
“If you got an outfit from Forever 21, you knew you were trendy and no one else would be wearing the exact same thing,” she said, pushing her 11-month-old daughter in a stroller. “You felt hip.”
But the fast fashion market has grown fiercely competitive, and Forever 21’s struggles intensified with the emergence of new Chinese online retailers like Temu and Shein.
Analysts point to an unfavorable retail playing field, particularly due to the U.S. de minimis exemption, which allows goods valued under $800 to be shipped from overseas without import fees. While competitors like Shein benefit, Forever 21 must still pay import duties and tariffs on its merchandise.
Cherry Hill Mall owner PREIT acknowledged Forever 21’s bankruptcy filing but declined to confirm specific closures.
“While we are aware of industry reports regarding Forever 21, we cannot confirm plans for any store closures within our portfolio,” a PREIT representative said in a statement. “We remain focused on delivering a dynamic shopping experience complete with a diverse and appealing tenant mix and sustaining our track record of bringing new offerings to the communities we serve.”
However, a handful of employees at the Cherry Hill store confirmed that they had been told the store would be closing and were encouraged to start looking for other jobs.
“There’s no specific date as to when we’re closing for good,” said a store manager, who asked to remain anonymous, as she was not authorized to speak publicly. “We have to sell off everything first. But we’re definitely closing.”
Another employee said staff were made aware as early as February—about a month before the bankruptcy filing—that the store would be shuttering.
“We were told they want it closed by the end of April, in about four weeks,” said the associate, as she organized tops on a rack marked “Clearance.”
That timeline matches the company’s official statement. F21 OpCo said it plans to have all 354 leased stores vacated by the end of April, with all store-closing sales ending before May 1. The Forever 21 website will remain operational until all store operations cease.
Forever 21’s first bankruptcy occurred in 2019, when it was rescued by Authentic Brands Group, along with mall owners Simon Property Group and Brookfield Corporation.
This time, however, no savior buyer stepped forward after months of searching—marking the final chapter for a once-dominant name in American retail.