Women's fashion brand, Cecil McBee to shut down all stores by February 2021, another COVID-19 casualty

Image Source: http://cecilmcbee.jp/

Japan women’s fashion brand, Cecil McBee will shut down all of their 43 stores including the main store located at Shibuya 109 (which was closed in November 2020) by February 2021.

Known for a brand that Hamasaki Ayumi, Takahashi Mary Jun and Beni would wear and was no doubt a boom for youth fashion during the ’80s, prior to rise of Forever 21 and H&M.

Back in January 2007, sales would exceed 20 billion yen but in recent years, it has been the half of that.

While sales were waning since 2007, according to various news sources, the decrease of sales due to the novel coronavirus made it difficult to continue store operations. All stores were closed for more than two months due to the closure of commercial facilities due to the spread of the novel coronavrius and business performance deteriorated.

Although business was resumed in mid-May, since then, the number of coronavirus infections have increased in Japan and the cost of rent and the burden placed on the company was too difficult if they were to close again.

In addition, other brands developed by Japan Imagination such as Fabulous Angela, BE RADIANCE, rid.dle from…, agplus, Ank Rouge, Sophila, will also be reorganized.

A total of 92 stores will be affected, which is 90% of the total stores operated by the company, will be closing. It is estimated that around 570 employees will be impacted.

Japan Imagination will refocus their attention towards rebuilding through online shopping.