I'd Buy That For A Dollar

So there are 22 U.S. retailers on the edge of bankruptcy.  This is apparently a high number.

If you're curious, here's the list:

Boardriders SA  - sporting subsidiary of Quiksilver

The Bon-Ton Stores - parent of department store chain

Fairway Group Holdings - food retailer

Tops Holding II - supermarket operator

99 Cents Only Stores - discount retailer

TOMS Shoes - footwear company

David's Bridal - wedding dresses and formalwear seller

Evergreen AcqCo 1 LP - parent of thrift chain Savers

Charming Charlie - women's jewelry and accessories

Vince LLC - clothing retailer

Calceus Acquisition - owner of Cole Haan footwear firm

Charlotte Russe - women's clothing

Neiman Marcus Group - luxury department store

Sears Holdings - owner of Sears and Kmart.

Indra Holdings - holding company owner of Totes Isotoner

Velocity Pooling Vehicle - does business as MAG, Motorsport Aftermarket Group

Chinos Intermediate Holdings - parent of J. Crew Group

Everest Holdings - manages Eddie Bauer brand

Nine West Holdings - clothing, shoes and accessories

Claire's Stores - accessories and jewelry

True Religion Apparel - men's and women's clothing

Gymboree - children's apparel

A lot of them I don't know, but some have been big names for much of my life.

I understand companies disappear every year, but it'll be sad to see them go.  The question becomes is this a warning of disastrous times ahead, or a huge amount of creative destruction?

The one that really gets to me is 99 Cents Only Stores.  I've never understood how they can sell their products so cheap, but I figured they must have a working business model to be so widespread.  And, if we're heading into big trouble, you'd think this is the store that would be recession proof.

Just goes to show you nothing is certain.