David’s Bridal layoffs target 14 New York stores

The future of David’s Bridal dressing New York wedding parties is coming into focus. 

The retailer’s plans to file for bankruptcy and launch a sales process mean layoffs at the company’s 14 stores in the state, according to a WARN notice filed with the state Department of Labor’s Office of Dislocated Workers. The cuts will hit 475 workers as part of the company’s plan to cut around 9,000 altogether.

The layoffs are set to happen in phases in New York. Corporate layoffs have already started, but distribution center layoffs aren’t happening until mid-June, while field and store worker layoffs won’t begin until then either.

The layoff notice for David’s Bridal that posted Wednesday listed three locations in New York City — including 45 West 25th Street in Manhattan and Plaza 48 at 3460 48th Street in Queens — and three on Long Island. The other city location is the 12th floor of an office building at 264 West 40th Street in Midtown.

The Pennsylvania-based company revealed Monday it had filed petitions for bankruptcy in the United States, and planned to do the same in Canada and the United Kingdom. The company has said stores and online sales will remain accessible for brides.

This is the second time in five years that David’s Bridal has faced substantial financial duress. 

The company filed for bankruptcy in 2018 with $400 million in debt, the New York Post reported. It emerged from bankruptcy a year later, but never recovered to its former levels, with the pandemic likely factoring into the picture.

“We are determined to stay focused on our future, because we believe we have an important role in ensuring that every bride, no matter her budget, can have her perfect dress,” CEO James Marcum said in the release announcing the bankruptcy.

Other large retail chains to struggle recently include Bed Bath & Beyond and Party City, which operates 800 locations throughout the United States and filed for bankruptcy in January.