Liberated Brands’ bankruptcy shows the red flags companies cannot ignore
Liberated Brands, the operator behind Quiksilver, Billabong, and Volcom, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 2025, leading to the closure of all 124 U.S. retail stores and the layoff of approximately 1,400 employees. The move follows years of financial pressure exacerbated by the rise of fast fashion, declining discretionary spending, and shifting consumer behavior.…