If you’ve walked past a boarded-up shop recently and wondered, is Volcom going out of business, you aren't alone. The sight of "Store Closing" signs at iconic spots can feel like the end of an era. Honestly, for anyone who grew up watching the Stone dominate the skate and surf scene, the headlines from the last year have been a total gut punch.
But here’s the thing. The brand isn't actually dead. It's just in the middle of a massive, messy corporate divorce.
To understand why your local shop might have vanished while the website is still pumping out new gear, you have to look at the difference between who owns a brand and who runs the stores. It’s a distinction that basically saved Volcom from disappearing entirely, even if the retail side of things looks like a total wreck right now.
The Bankruptcy Shocker: What Really Happened
Let’s get the heavy stuff out of the way first. In early 2025, a company called Liberated Brands filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This was the group that operated the physical Volcom, Billabong, and Quiksilver stores across the United States. When they went under, they didn't just stumble; they cleared the floor.
We're talking about more than 100 stores closing their doors for good. Nearly 1,400 people lost their jobs. It was a brutal wave of liquidations that hit malls and beach towns from California to Florida. Because the signs on those buildings said "Volcom," everyone naturally assumed the brand itself was toast.
But there’s a massive catch.
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Volcom is actually owned by a giant called Authentic Brands Group (ABG). ABG doesn’t usually run stores themselves; they own the "intellectual property"—the logo, the designs, the name. They license those rights out to other companies. Liberated Brands was just one of those partners. When Liberated couldn't pay the bills due to rising interest rates and a post-pandemic slump, ABG basically said, "Okay, we’re taking our toys and going home."
Why the Stone is Still Standing in 2026
So, if the store operator went bankrupt, why can you still buy a Frickin Modern chino online?
Basically, ABG is a master at "brand resuscitation." Instead of letting the Stone sink, they quickly pivoted. By the time 2026 rolled around, they had already moved the heavy lifting to new partners. For example, The Levy Group took over much of the Volcom operations, even hiring dozens of former employees to keep the "core" vibe alive.
- Wholesale is the new king: You’ll see Volcom in more "big box" spots and specialty boutiques rather than dedicated flagship stores.
- International is doing fine: The bankruptcy was largely a U.S. affair. In Canada, stores stayed open because they were run by a different entity.
- New Partnerships: In late 2025, they were still signing deals for everything from Volcom-branded socks to high-tech wetsuits.
The brand isn't going out of business; it’s just changing its shape. It’s moving away from the expensive, "overinflated" retail model that relied on having a massive shop in every high-rent mall.
The Identity Crisis: Is it Still "True to This"?
This is where things get kinda complicated. While the brand is financially safe under the ABG umbrella, some long-time fans feel like the soul is being stretched thin. When a brand moves from a dedicated skate-run operation to a licensing powerhouse that also owns Reebok and Forever 21, things change.
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There was a lot of chatter on Reddit and in surf forums about whether Volcom had "lost its way." Critics pointed to the closure of the Costa Mesa headquarters as a sign that the "Youth Against Establishment" energy was being replaced by corporate efficiency.
However, Volcom has managed to do something most "bought-out" brands fail at: they kept their team. They’re still sponsoring world-class athletes. They still showed up for the 2022 Olympics and continued deep ties into the 2026 winter season. They’re trying to balance being a global powerhouse with staying "core" enough to keep a skateboarder from rolling their eyes. It’s a tightrope walk.
Comparing the "Then" vs. "Now"
The shift in how Volcom operates is pretty wild when you look at the timeline.
Years ago, Volcom was a standalone public company. Then Kering (the Gucci people) bought them. Then ABG took over. Each move pushed the brand further away from that original "guys in a garage" vibe and closer to a global licensing machine.
Today, the business model is about agility. If a partner fails—like Liberated Brands did—ABG just finds a new one. It’s a "plug and play" version of fashion. It’s less romantic, sure, but it’s why the brand is still here while others from the 90s have completely evaporated into thrift store bins.
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What This Means for You (The Actionable Part)
If you're a fan of the gear, you don't need to start hoarding V-Co Stretch GORE-TEX jackets just yet. Volcom is very much alive.
Here is what you should actually watch out for:
- Check the "Stone Rewards" Program: If you had points, you might have noticed a hiccup during the operator transition. Most loyalty programs tied to the old web store structure were discontinued or reset in early 2025. Make sure you're signed up for the new version of the site to get your discounts.
- Shop Local Specialty Stores: Since the brand is closing its own dedicated retail shops, your best bet for finding the "cool" limited drops is going to be your local independent skate or surf shop. They are becoming the primary way Volcom reaches the "core" audience again.
- Expect More Collabs: Under the new management, expect to see Volcom popping up in weird places—think collaborations with tech brands, toy companies (like the Hot Wheels deal), or even workwear.
Volcom isn't going out of business; it's just becoming a ghost in the machine. You might not see the giant Stone logo on a storefront at your local mall anymore, but the clothes are still being designed, the athletes are still getting paid, and the "Stone" is still very much in the game.
Keep an eye on their official site for the 2026 Spring/Summer drops. The designs coming out of the new partnerships are surprisingly solid, proving that even if the business side gets messy, the designers still know what they're doing.
Next Step: Check your local retail listings or the official Volcom store locator. You might find that while the corporate-owned stores are gone, many authorized dealers in your area have actually increased their stock to fill the void.