Soft Surroundings
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| Company type | Women's apparel retailer |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail sector |
| Founded | July 18, 1999, St. Louis, Missouri |
| Headquarters | St. Louis, Missouri, United States |
Number of locations | 44 (2023) |
| Products |
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| Owner |
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| Website | www |
Soft Surroundings operates as a U.S.-based catalog and retail brand focused on women's fashion and bedding merchandise. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, the company currently maintains 44 outlets across the country, primarily situated within lifestyle centers and enclosed shopping malls.
History
Soft Surroundings was established in 1999 as a catalog-based business located in St. Louis, Missouri.[1]
The company expanded into brick-and-mortar retail in 2005 by launching its inaugural flagship store in its hometown of St. Louis.[2] After being acquired by Brentwood Associates on August 14, 2012, Soft Surroundings aimed to grow both its catalog operations and physical retail presence over the ensuing years.[3]
On March 18, 2016, the company announced an ambitious expansion plan to open more than twenty additional stores throughout that year. This growth was projected to increase the total number of locations from 29 to approximately 50 by 2017, with the milestone 50th store planned for Omaha, Nebraska. Furthermore, there were intentions to launch nine more stores before the end of 2017.[4][5]
Between early 2022 and early 2023, Soft Surroundings experienced significant decline, which led to the closure of nearly thirty underperforming locations out of a total exceeding seventy stores. In mid-2022, the company initiated a comprehensive restructuring strategy focused on realigning its product offerings toward Generation X women in an effort to enhance revenue.[6]
Bankruptcy
On September 11, 2023, the company initiated a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. It was disclosed that all of its remaining 44 retail locations would be permanently closed, alongside plans to divest its e-commerce platform and catalog mailing operations. The final physical stores ceased operations on February 24, 2024.
Subsequently, on December 7, 2023, Soft Surroundings was acquired by Coldwater Creek. Coldwater Creek had previously filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2014 and was later purchased in 2020 by Newtimes Group, a Hong Kong-based enterprise specializing in procurement, logistics, and product development. Newtimes Group is recognized as one of the largest global apparel industry suppliers.
References
- ↑ "Soft Surroundings Our Story". Soft Surroundings. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- ↑ "Soft Surroundings opens first Las Vegas store". Business Press. April 9, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- ↑ "Brentwood Associates Acquires Majority Stake in Soft Surroundings". Multichannel Merchant. August 14, 2012. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- ↑ "CHARLOTTE: Soft Surroundings founder talks big expansion". Biz Journals. March 18, 2016. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- ↑ "Soft Surroundings celebrates 50th store opening". St. Louis Mag. June 9, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- ↑ "Why Soft Surroundings is refocusing on Gen X shoppers". Modern Retail. May 16, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
External links
- Retail companies of the United States
- American companies established in 1999
- 1999 establishments in Missouri
- Retail companies established in 1999
- Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2023
- Clothing retailers of the United States
- Mattress retailers of the United States
- Mail-order retailers
- 2023 mergers and acquisitions