The news didn’t arrive with fanfare.
It surfaced quietly during a year already overwhelmed by tragedy, economic fear, and national unrest. At first glance, it looked like just another business casualty of the pandemic. But a closer look revealed something far more significant: the disappearance of a retail institution that had helped define American shopping for generations.
As 2020 unfolded, the United States was rocked by seismic events—the sudden death of Kobe Bryant, the rapid spread of COVID-19, and widespread protests following the killing of George Floyd. Alongside the social upheaval came a historic economic slowdown.
Brick-and-mortar retailers, already under pressure from e-commerce giants like Amazon, found themselves pushed to the brink.
Among the most striking losses was Lord & Taylor, the oldest department store chain in the country. After nearly two centuries in business, the iconic retailer announced plans to permanently shutter all remaining locations.
The pandemic accelerated existing financial strain, but Lord & Taylor’s struggles had begun well before 2020. The company had been sold just a year earlier to Le Tote Inc., a French-owned apparel and subscription clothing company, in a deal that was meant to breathe new life into the fading brand. Instead, the challenges multiplied.
In August 2020, both Lord & Taylor and Le Tote filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the Eastern District of Virginia. Although the retailer initially hoped to preserve a reduced footprint of 14 stores, those plans collapsed. The company ultimately confirmed the closure of all 38 remaining locations and launched liquidation sales in a final effort to recoup losses.
Founded in Manhattan in 1824 as a modest dry goods store, Lord & Taylor helped pioneer the modern department store model. For decades, it was known for innovation, upscale fashion, and shaping consumer culture. But as shopping habits shifted toward digital convenience, its traditional model struggled to keep pace with a rapidly changing marketplace.
Conclusion
The fall of Lord & Taylor is more than a business closure—it is the end of a historic American institution. Its nearly 200-year run stands as a testament to past innovation, but its collapse highlights a harsh modern reality: legacy alone cannot guarantee survival. As retail continues to evolve, Lord & Taylor’s story serves as a reminder that even the most storied brands must adapt—or risk fading into history.