Barneys New York
Legendary luxury retailer and fashion tastemaker.
PE-OWNED
Acquired by Authentic Brands Group2019-11-01
What Made It Great
Curated luxury fashion and cutting-edge designer discovery.
What PE Will Likely Do
Barneys New York will undergo rapid store closures, with the flagship Madison Avenue store and other high-profile locations likely to be shuttered.
The quality and exclusivity of Barneys' luxury fashion inventory will decline, with a shift towards more mass-market brands and lower-quality merchandise.
The in-store customer experience will deteriorate, with reduced staff, less personalized service, and a general decline in the premium shopping ambiance that Barneys is known for.
Barneys' role as a trend-setting fashion authority and discovery platform for emerging designers will diminish, as the company focuses on cost-cutting and mainstream brand expansion.
Expected Timeline
“0 to 6 months months”
Announcements about 'brand optimization' and 'strategic repositioning' of Barneys, likely including plans for store closures and staffing reductions.
“6 to 12 months months”
First round of flagship and high-profile store closures, accompanied by a noticeable decline in the quality and exclusivity of Barneys' fashion offerings.
“12 to 24 months months”
Further store closures and a continued shift towards more affordable, mass-market brands, resulting in a diminished in-store experience for Barneys' luxury consumers.
“24 to 48 months months”
Increasing bankruptcy rumors and more aggressive cost-cutting measures, including potential outsourcing of merchandise buying and reduction in support for emerging designer discovery.
“48 to 60 months months”
Potential bankruptcy, restructuring, or fire sale of Barneys, with the iconic retailer likely losing its status as a fashion authority and trend-setting destination.
Similar Cases
Other companies that followed a similar path after PE acquisition
What You Can Do
Actions
Consumers who value the Barneys New York experience should consider making purchases in the near term, as the quality and exclusivity of the retailer's offerings are likely to decline over time.
Barneys loyalists should keep a close eye on the company's announcements and changes, and be prepared to seek alternative luxury shopping destinations if the in-store experience and product quality deteriorate significantly.
Alternatives
Employee-owned warehouse retailer
Publicly traded retailer with strong values