Merry-Go-Round (retailer)
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (apparel) |
| Founded | 1970s |
| Defunct | 1996 |
| Fate | Bankruptcy and liquidation |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Apparel |
Merry-Go-Round was a United States-based apparel retail chain operated by Merry-Go-Round Enterprises, Inc., which experienced significant growth from the 1970s until the early 1990s. The company filed for bankruptcy during the mid-1990s and ultimately shut down in 1996.[1] Renowned for leveraging fleeting fashion trends,[2] it expanded its footprint by acquiring the men's clothing retailer Silverman's, purchasing 273 outlets from Retail Ventures in 1989, and taking over the Chess King brand from the Melville Corporation in 1993.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name The firm initiated Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in 1994 and commenced liquidation sales by February 1996.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name At the time of its closure, Merry-Go-Round operated more than 500 stores,[1] predominantly located within enclosed shopping malls.[2]
During the mid-1980s, advertising campaigns for Merry-Go-Round included parodies of Quiet Riot's "Cum On Feel the Noize", aimed at attracting teenagers and young adult consumers.
After an unsuccessful restructuring effort, Merry-Go-Round became a party in the 1998 legal case Devan v. Ernst & Young LLP against Ernst & Young, accusing them of failing to fulfill their responsibilities as turnaround consultants. This lawsuit led to Maryland’s largest settlement involving a single defendant.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name[1]