Pier 1 Imports announces bankruptcy filing, closing 450 stores, two local locations

FORT WORTH, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Feb. 17, 2020– Pier 1 Imports, Inc. today announced that it has entered into a Plan Support Agreement with a majority of its term loan lenders and is pursuing a sale of the Company. To facilitate an orderly sale process and implement the PSA, the Company and its subsidiaries have commenced voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

The Company also intends to use this process to complete the previously announced closure of up to 450 store locations, which includes the closure of all its stores in Canada. To date, the Company has closed or initiated going-out-business sales at over 400 locations. The Company is also in the process of closing two distribution centers to reflect its revised store footprint.

Robert Riesbeck, Pier 1’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, said, “In recent months, we have taken significant steps forward in our business transformation and cost-reduction initiatives. We have worked to establish an appropriately sized and profitable store footprint, operating structure and merchandise assortment that will enable Pier 1 to better serve our customers across store and online channels. Today’s actions are intended to provide Pier 1 with additional time and financial flexibility as we now work to unlock additional value for our stakeholders through a sale of the Company. We are moving ahead in this process with the support of our lenders and are pleased with the initial interest as we engage in discussions with potential buyers.”

The Company expects to operate its business in the normal course during this process.

Riesbeck added, “We will continue to serve our customers regardless of how and where they shop with the style, value and selection of merchandise they want as we move through this process, and we are committed to working seamlessly with our vendors and partners. We appreciate the ongoing dedication of our associates, whose efforts in providing our loyal customers with the experience they expect from our brand are critical to our success and the future of Pier 1.”

Pier 1 intends to conduct a court-supervised sale process and complete the sale through a Chapter 11 plan. Pier 1 expects that the deadline to submit qualified binding bids will be on or around March 23, 2020, subject to procedures to be approved by the court.

In connection with its plans to close all its stores in Canada, Pier 1 is also commencing proceedings in Canada.

According to Business Insider, the 145 Highland Avenue location in Seekonk and 9 Mozzone Boulevard in Taunton are part of the closures.