In a year marked by the untimely death of NBA star Kobe Bryant, the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, and the civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd, 2020 proved to be a tumultuous one for the United States. As the economy struggled to cope with the pandemic’s impact, traditional retailers faced a daunting challenge as consumers increasingly turned to online shopping platforms like Amazon. Among these retailers is Lord & Taylor, America’s oldest department store chain, which is now preparing to close all of its stores after nearly two centuries in business
Lord & Taylor, America’s oldest department store founded in 1824, is closing all 38 locations in a liquidation sale after struggling through bankruptcy and the pandemic’s economic impact. Previously, 14 stores had remained open, but changing retail habits and its acquisition by Le Tote Inc. failed to revive it. Once a retail pioneer, the iconic brand now shutters, marking the end of nearly two centuries of department store history in the U.S.
