Esprit is shutting down all of its North American stores (that’s right, all of them)
After last year’s 98-per-cent earnings slump and failure to find a buyer for its tanking business, Esprit has announced plans to close its North American stores. But all is not lost—Esprit plans to find a licence partner to keep their work-safe blouses and sensible skirts alive in North America. CEO Ronald Van der Vis plans to turn the fallen fashion brand around by doubling sales in China within the next four years (Linsanity for spokesmodel, anyone?). The U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries haven’t decided whether to file for Chapter 11 or equivalent Canadian bankruptcy proceedings just yet, but now would be the time to stockpile pencil skirts (the Eaton Centre location is expected to close down in two weeks). Read the entire story [Vancouver Sun] »
That is too bad…I was really enjoying their more casual line they had come up with recently. I also enjoyed the quality of their product, as most fashion seems “throw away” now.
Shame. They had quality, if boring, pieces. Great place for basics in my experience.
Their coats are great and last for years – this really sucks..
Not surprised. For years their sizing has been off. And I’m not talking a little bit off, I’m talking 2 to 3 sizes up in both men’s and womens. My little husband who is 5’7″ and 155 lbs soaking wet needs a large in Esprit ?! You’re kidding me. And the quality was only so-so.
You’ve had to be size waif to shop there for ages. Good riddance says I.
This is sad news. Esprit made good quality cotton sweaters that lasted–not like the thin acrylic garbage most store seem to sell these days. Guess people want disposable cheap fashion nowadays. I do agree with the poster about the sizes though–their clothes were not true to size.
I am so sad to see them leave. It was the best place to get basics and I’m quite small so their XS size fit me like a glove. Now I have no affordable option for “European” sizes. :(
“February 22, 2012 at 10:28 am | by suchick”, excuse me, but is not the sizing that is off, it is peoples weight that is off in North America. Yes, in Europe ( Esprit is based on European fashion design), clothes run much smaller. You like it or not, that is why world fashion sets fashion clocks by European designers, not North American. Your husband could probably fit into Small, in USA/Canada, where European Small will be enough for it’s left hand. Let’s not forget that the world it is not just North America..
So disappointed. Honestly love their clothes but it’s people like me who put them out of business. Hate shopping and rarely by new clothes! Agree with sizing you have to experiment to get the right size. People are smaller in Europe.
I was devastated when I found out Esprit had closed their Canadian stores :(
They had nice, quality, fashionable, comfrotable and affordable business and casual clothes. Lots of good basic pieces.
Not surprised. I was a Manager for their West van store and the operations out of TO were a disaster. My store had the number 1 rating in the west and was 4th in the country but the promotion was given to the manager of the pacific center store whose store was at the bottom of the pile…because she was friendly with Dean the regional manager. When the President came to visit my store he admitted straight up they made a hash of it and how could they keep me? They never gave me the increase I was promised at interview. The president brought some loser with him from another company that they both came from to run personnel. The personnel booklet said next step up was to buyer and this nitwit old guy told me to work hard and get to the next step of area manager (which was not the next step according to the book) and I did and the promotion went to the blondie who was running the Pacific Center store into the ground. The senior management was a joke and managers were leaving in droves tired of being jerked around. They never ever delivered on their promises to managers. Theft was high both by staff and customers. it was a boring joke.
No surprise at all!
I liked Esprit’s quality. I have about 4 pieces of clothing from there: tshirt, sweater, buttonup, hat. All great quality. I’m pretty tall and I found the sizes I needed, fits me just fine. The items have been in the wash a few times and look brand new still!! So points for durability! Their regular priced stuff is expensive though. I wouldn’t consider their clothing high-end, but for what it’s worth, I do miss them. I wish they were still around.
Very dissapointing. Esprit had good european style clothes and a reasonable choice. I am from Europe myself and find european styles more feminine and girly for women. Too bad they close.
not supised i worked there a few years ago in the eaton centre and i can honestly say it was the WORST run retail place i have ever worked out, the big managers were terrible bipolar mean, i hated every day i worked there, i now NEVER shop there just out of principle
“Excuse me” but you’re being rude and snobbish implying that North Americans are fatter. I’ve been in Europe and didn’t find that the clothing sizes ran smaller. I wasn’t aware the “fashion clock” was set by “European designers”. Tell that to Ralph Lauren, Vera Wang and Carolina Hererra.
I really like Esprit clothing and boots. I had a pair of flat lace up boots from the store in Vancouver that I literally wore for 10 years. Great quality, superb leather and workmanship, not the junk you get now all made in China.