In a world swirling with rumors and retail uncertainties, one question seems to be on the lips of home décor enthusiasts: “Is Pottery Barn going out of business?” looking more closely, this looks like a valid concern, considering how fast the landscape of brick-and-mortar stores is changing and the surge of e-commerce.
Many of us have trusted Pottery Barn for years when it comes to decorating our homes and making it look just like in our favorite movies. So, when the speculations about the closure of this brand broke out, it came as a great concern in the hearts of many people.
But is Pottery Barn going out of business, really? Or is this just another rumor circulating in the industry? In this post, we will be taking a closer look at this brand to help find answers to many questions you might have concerning Pottery Barn. Just keep reading!
A Quick Look at What Pottery Barn Is
Before we go ahead to answer the questions about the potential shutdown of Pottery Barn, let’s take a moment to remind ourselves of what this iconic brand stands for.
Pottery Barn is a big name when it comes to making your home look good. They sell all sorts of things for your house, like furniture and decorations that make you feel cozy and stylish. From its inception, the brand has carved a niche for itself, offering not just furniture but a lifestyle.
This store isn’t new. It’s been around for a while and has become very popular. Why? Because their stuff makes homes look like they come out of those feel-good movies. Everything they sell looks like a decorating pro picked it out.
But Pottery Barn is more than just an upscale store with overpriced coffee mugs. It’s a subsidiary of the reputable Williams-Sonoma, Inc., making its mark not only in the United States but also in international waters with stores in Canada, Mexico, and Australia.
Recent years have seen its expansion through collaborations, like the one with John Lewis, introducing Pottery Barn Kids to the United Kingdom.
Despite its popularity, Pottery Barn has not been immune to the harsh climates of retail business. In 2021, the company hit a rough patch and had to face the daunting process of bankruptcy.
This stirred whispers and rumors of a possible closure. And we believe this is the main reason people are still asking, ‘Is Pottery Barn going out of business?’
Is Pottery Barn Going Out of Business?
This is no doubt a big question in the hearts of many. To answer it straight out, the answer is no, Pottery Barn is not going out of business. The rumors that have been circulating are not grounded in concrete evidence.
While the brand has indeed closed its locations and underwent bankruptcy in 2021, it remains a vibrant part of the retail scene. The bankruptcy was a strategic move under Chapter 11 and has allowed Pottery Barn to reorganize and return stronger. However, this time, it came back with a shift towards an exclusively online presence.
So, is Pottery Barn going out of business? The answer is a resounding no. The brand did not shut down completely. They just changed how they do business. Now, you can shop for their products online.
Why Did Pottery Barn File for Bankruptcy?
Filing for bankruptcy is never a light decision for any company. For Pottery Barn, the spring of 2008 marked a period of reevaluation and restructuring.
Chapter 11 bankruptcy, often seen as a means to stay in business while reorganizing debts, provided Pottery Barn with a lifeline. The company took this challenging moment as an opportunity to pivot. They filed for bankruptcy to transition from a traditional brick-and-mortar model to an online-only retail format.
Does this signal the end of the brand? No, the move was not an end but a new beginning, allowing Pottery Barn to maintain its commitment to providing stylish and quality home furnishings.
What Has Changed Since Pottery Barn Filed for Bankruptcy?
As we already said, companies usually file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to reorganize. That was exactly the case with Pottery Barn, too. Since its relaunch as an online-only retailer, the brand has embraced the digital revolution in retail.
This shift has enabled the company to reach a wider audience. Today, the way people shop has changed – most consumers now prefer to shop from the convenience of online shopping. And since it came back to the market, Pottery Barn has better positioned itself to serve this category of consumers.
Now, you can buy from the store and have it delivered to your doorstep without having to leave the convenience of your home. That’s the new trend in shopping, and the bankruptcy has allowed Pottery Barn to be part of it.
Why Is It Called Pottery Barn?
Got a moment to see some more intricate details about Pottery Barn? Let’s get on a quick ride to why the brand is named so.
When you hear the name “Pottery Barn,” it sure evokes a sense of rustic charm and simplicity. It was in 1949 that the brand stumbled upon its identity. Two brothers found three barns filled with the unique stoneware of Glidden Parker, a discontinued line from a popular pottery company.
This discovery not only supplied their name but also gave them a storied product line that defined their early years. And up till today, the brand still bears the name Pottery Barn.
Did Pottery Barn Ever Recall Its Products?
Like any responsible business, Pottery Barn has had moments where it had to recall products for the safety of its customers. In 2010, Pottery Barn found an issue with some baby cribs. The parts that made the crib sides go up and down were not working right.
This could be dangerous for babies. So, they told everyone who had bought these cribs to bring them back. They wanted to make sure that all babies were safe in their cribs.
Pottery Barn has had other recalls, too. Once, they had to take back some bar stools. There was a worry that they could break and hurt someone. They also had to recall some car seats made for kids and lamps that could give you an electric shock if they were not set up right. And they found out that some rugs could catch fire too easily, so they recalled those as well.
When Pottery Barn finds out something is wrong with any of their products, they make a notice about a recall on their website. They ask people to return the product. Then, they either fix the problem or give people their money back. This is how they make sure everyone stays safe and happy with what they buy.
Flegel’s Furniture Also Faces Possible Closure
Flegel’s Furniture, a Pottery Barn rival, is another store for home stuff that might have to close. It’s a lot like Pottery Barn, but it’s been around for nearly 70 years. A husband and wife team, Arthur and Cleora Flegel, started it. Their family kept it going for three generations in California.
In 2019, they tried something new. They moved the store and changed how they sold furniture. They started focusing on giving customers advice on how to decorate their homes. But then, the Covid pandemic hit. It caused a lot of problems for businesses everywhere.
Flegel’s had trouble making their custom furniture because they couldn’t get the parts they needed. For example, they couldn’t make sofas because there was no foam. They couldn’t make recliners because they couldn’t get the parts that make them recline.
Brian Flegel, who runs the store now, said it was tough to get what they needed to make their furniture. Because of these problems, they might have to close the store. They haven’t decided on a closing date yet. They hope the community will help keep the store open.
To try and save the store, they started a fundraising page. They need money to pay their bills and their workers. Some of these workers have been with them for a very long time. The store is important to these workers. It’s like a lifeline.
They’re preparing for a possible store closure. But they still hope they can stay open with the help of their customers. They want to keep helping people make their homes beautiful.
Final Thought
So, is Pottery Barn going out of business? The straightforward answer is no. Even though the brand has faced significant challenges and a radical shift in business strategy, Pottery Barn continues to stand strong in the world of online retail.
If you have been concerned that Pottery Barn will no longer be around to help make your home a beautiful corner as you have always dreamed, you will be happy the brand isn’t going anywhere yet.
Got some furniture or home décor ideas you want to bring to live in your home, you can always place an order on their website!
FAQs
Who bought out Pottery Barn?
Pottery Barn was bought by Williams-Sonoma, Inc. This happened in 1986. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is a big company that sells lots of home stuff. They helped Pottery Barn grow and started selling furniture and other things for homes.
Is Pottery Barn owned by Gap?
No, Pottery Barn is not owned by Gap. It used to be a part of Gap a long time ago. But in 1986, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. bought the company from Gap. Since then, Williams-Sonoma has been in charge.
What is the Pottery Barn equivalent in the UK?
In the UK, the store that’s like Pottery Barn is West Elm. This store is also owned by Williams-Sonoma, Inc. West Elm has a modern style and cares a lot about being eco-friendly. It’s the closest you can get to Pottery Barn’s style in the UK.
Who manufactures Pottery Barn fabrics?
The fabrics for Pottery Barn come from a partnership with Crypton Home and Valdese Weavers. Valdese Weavers is a top designer and maker of decorative textiles in the United States. They make fabrics for homes and even for businesses.
Related Articles You Might Like:
