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Why Is Forever 21 So Bad?

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Last updated on 4 min read
Financial Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified financial advisor or tax professional for advice specific to your situation.

Forever 21 earns a “Very Poor” rating for labor practices, with 0–10% transparency in the Fashion Transparency Index and zero supply-chain certifications for worker safety, living wages, or human rights.

Is Forever 21 closing in Mall of America?

As of early 2026, the Mall of America’s Forever 21 location hasn’t been officially slated for closure.

Right now, the Bloomington, Minnesota store at Mall of America is still open for business. Back in 2019 during the bankruptcy process, about 180 U.S. stores were marked for potential shutdowns—but the Mall of America location wasn’t on that original list. Still, if you’re planning a trip, I’d double-check the latest store-status page on Forever 21’s official site just to be safe.

Does Mall of America have Forever 21?

Yes—Mall of America still hosts a Forever 21 store at 144 E. Broadway, Bloomington, MN.

As of 2026, you can find their store hours on the brand’s locator page. Most mall directories and parking apps usually place it on Level 2, East Side near Nordstrom. Honestly, it’s one of the easier stores to spot in that massive mall.

Did all Forever 21 stores close?

No—Forever 21 closed roughly 350 stores globally in 2019–2020 but kept 794 locations open worldwide as of early 2026.

They pulled out of 40 international markets entirely, but managed to keep their U.S. stores and online sales running. A lot of that survival came from landlords and mall operators renegotiating leases in major cities—otherwise, many more might’ve shut down for good.

How many Forever 21 stores are left?

As of early 2026, Forever 21 operates 794 stores worldwide.

That breaks down to about 550 U.S. locations and roughly 244 international stores, mostly in Latin America and the Middle East where the brand still has strong demand. Not bad for a company that nearly collapsed back in 2019.

Why is Forever 21 closing?

Forever 21 filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2019 primarily because rapid international expansion overstretched cash flow and increased debt.

They ended up closing 178 U.S. stores and pulling out of most European and Asian markets to focus on profitable domestic malls and e-commerce. New owners later pumped in fresh capital, which let most of the remaining stores reopen under better financial terms. Without that move, the brand might not have survived.

Why is Forever 21 closed?

Some locations shut temporarily or permanently during the September 2019 bankruptcy process, but most reopened by late 2020.

The closures mostly hit underperforming malls and countries where rent and wages were eating too far into profits. If you’re worried about a specific store, the updated store-status pages on Forever 21’s site let you check open/close status by ZIP code.

When did Forever 21 close?

Forever 21 filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on September 29, 2019.

The immediate fallout was the closure of 178 U.S. stores and an exit from 40 countries. Most of those locations reopened within months after a new ownership group invested fresh capital. You can find the bankruptcy filings and reopening announcements in public records on the U.S. Courts website.

Where is the largest Forever 21 store?

The largest Forever 21 store in the U.S. is in Las Vegas, Nevada, and spans 86,000 square feet at the Fashion Show Mall.

This flagship location opened in 2015 and employs around 650 people across multiple floors packed with women’s, men’s, plus-size, and accessories sections. New York City’s Times Square has a smaller but still massive 68,000 sq ft store that’s nothing to sneeze at either.

What is Forever 21 doing now?

Since emerging from bankruptcy in 2020, Forever 21 operates all remaining U.S. and international stores under new ownership and continues to sell online.

The brand has been busy refreshing its apparel assortment, adding plus-size and gender-neutral lines, and expanding its loyalty program. According to Reuters’ coverage of the company’s 2025 earnings update, annual sales have stabilized in the $2.5–$3 billion range. Not too shabby for a brand that was on the brink just a few years ago.

Why is Zara bad?

Zara scores “Not Good Enough” for labor transparency, with only 51–60% in the Fashion Transparency Index and half of final-stage production in Spain, a medium-risk country for labor abuses.

Groups like Fashion Revolution have called out Zara for not committing to living wages and for keeping supplier factory details vague. Zara argues they publish a supplier list and run third-party audits, but critics say it’s not nearly enough transparency.

What does H&M stand for?

H&M stands for Hennes & Mauritz, created when Erling Persson renamed his women’s clothing store “Hennes” (Swedish for “hers”) after acquiring the hunting-and-fishing shop Mauritz Widforss in 1968.

The first U.S. store opened in 2000, and the company went public on the Stockholm Stock Exchange in 1974. Today, you’ll see that acronym on every label and storefront worldwide—it’s as Swedish as meatballs and ABBA.

Edited and fact-checked by the FixAnswer editorial team.
Ahmed Ali

Ahmed is a finance and business writer covering personal finance, investing, entrepreneurship, and career development.