Walk into almost any suburban mall in America and you’ll see the familiar monochrome sign. Express. For decades, it was the go-to for "going out" tops and the 1MX dress shirt that every guy seemed to own in five different colors. But lately, the vibe has shifted. You’ve probably noticed the "Closing Sale" signs at your local spot or heard the rumblings online. So, is Express going out of business? It’s a loaded question.
The short answer is: not exactly, but they’ve had a massive reality check.
In April 2024, Express, Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. That sounds like the end of the road, right? For a lot of brands, it is. But in the world of retail, Chapter 11 is often more about hitting the reset button than turning out the lights forever. They weren't just dying; they were drowning in debt and a lease portfolio that didn't make sense in a world where everyone buys clothes while lying in bed on their phones.
The Reality of the Bankruptcy Filing
Let’s be real. Express was struggling long before the 2024 filing. The company had over $1 billion in debt. That’s a staggering number for a brand that essentially sells business-casual attire to people who mostly work from home now.
When they filed for bankruptcy, the goal was survival. They needed to shed the weight of underperforming stores and find a buyer who actually believed the brand had a future. They found one. A consortium led by WHP Global—which already owns brands like Toys "R" Us and Anne Klein—stepped in. Along with mall landlords Simon Property Group and Brookfield Properties, they bought the company’s assets.
Why would landlords buy a failing store? Simple. They need the foot traffic. If Express vanishes, that’s another massive hole in the mall they have to fill. By keeping Express alive, these mall owners are basically protecting their own real estate.
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Why Are So Many Stores Closing?
You might see an empty storefront where your favorite Express used to be and think, yep, they’re done. It’s a fair assumption. As part of the restructuring, the company announced the closure of roughly 100 Express stores and all of its UpWest locations. UpWest was their attempt at a "wellness-inspired" lifestyle brand—think cozy loungewear and Earth tones—but it just didn't catch on enough to save the sinking ship.
Closing 100 stores isn't a total liquidation. It’s a haircut. A very aggressive, painful haircut.
They are targeting locations where the rent is too high or the sales are too low. By the time the dust settles, the "new" Express will be smaller. Much smaller. The strategy now is "fewer, better stores." They want to focus on high-traffic flagship locations and a much more robust digital presence. Honestly, it’s the only way a mall brand survives in 2026. If you can't win on TikTok and Instagram, you aren't going to win at the local Galleria.
The Identity Crisis: What Went Wrong?
Express used to own the "young professional" demographic. If you had an interview or a date, you went there. But the middle of the market is a dangerous place to be right now.
On one side, you have fast-fashion giants like Zara and H&M that move faster and often cheaper. On the other, you have premium brands and the "quiet luxury" trend that Express struggled to mimic effectively. Then came the pandemic. The 1MX shirt suddenly didn't matter when everyone was wearing sweatpants on Zoom calls. Express tried to pivot to more casual wear, but it felt a little late to the party.
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They also struggled with pricing. You know the drill: everything is "40% off" all the time. When a brand is perpetually on sale, nobody wants to pay full price. It devalues the product. It’s a cycle that’s hard to break, and it gutted their profit margins.
The WHP Global Era: What Happens Next?
Now that WHP Global has taken the reins, the "is Express going out of business" talk has shifted to "can they actually make it cool again?"
The new owners aren't looking to just manage a decline. They want to expand the brand internationally and maybe even move into new categories. You’ll likely see more "lifestyle" marketing. They’re trying to move away from being just a "mall store" and toward being a "global fashion brand." It’s a lofty goal, but they have the capital now that the old debt has been cleared out through the bankruptcy process.
For you, the shopper, this means:
- The website is staying up.
- The loyalty program (Express Insider) is still active.
- Gift cards are still being honored (for now).
- Your local store might be gone, but the brand itself is sticking around.
How to Shop Express Moving Forward
If you’re a fan of the brand, you don’t need to panic-buy everything in the clearance section just yet. But you should be smart.
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Bankruptcy transitions are messy. Returns might get trickier at closing locations, and inventory might be spotty as they transition to new management. If your local store is on the "closing" list, expect deep discounts, but remember that those sales are almost always final. No returns. No exchanges.
Actionable Steps for Express Shoppers
Check your local store status. Don't drive 20 miles only to find a boarded-up window. Use the store locator on their website; it’s being updated as leases are finalized or terminated.
Burn your points. If you have a stack of Express Insider points, use them. While the new owners have indicated they want to keep the loyalty program, things can change during a corporate handoff. It’s better to get that $10 or $20 discount now rather than finding out later that the system "reset."
Monitor the quality. Often, when a brand is bought out of bankruptcy, the new owners look for ways to cut costs. Keep an eye on the fabrics. If that favorite blazer suddenly feels like plastic, you’ll know the "new" Express is prioritizing margins over make.
Watch for the rebrand. WHP Global is likely to launch a major marketing push soon. This usually involves "influencer-led" collections and a refreshed aesthetic. This will be the true test. If the new collections don't resonate with Gen Z and younger Millennials, the brand will be right back in the same position in three years.
Express isn't "gone." It’s just smaller, leaner, and under new management. It’s a classic story of an American retail icon trying to figure out how to exist in a world that has largely moved on from the 2000s mall culture that made it famous. Whether they can actually pull off a comeback remains to be seen, but for now, the lights are staying on.