Discount Furniture Chain Nearing Bankruptcy, Fate Of 12 Louisiana Stores Unknown

Conn’s Inc., a discount furniture and appliance retailer, is reportedly on the brink of bankruptcy, casting uncertainty over the future of its 12 stores in Louisiana. The Texas-based chain, which has been struggling with declining sales and integration issues following the acquisition of W.S. Badcock, may file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy within weeks, according to sources familiar with the matter, as reported by Bloomberg.

Conn’s, which targets lower-income consumers with its home goods, has faced significant financial hurdles recently. The retailer delayed its quarterly financial filings as it sought to refinance its debt, leading to a delinquency notification from the Nasdaq Stock Market. The company's stock has plummeted to 61 cents, a stark contrast from its peak of $25 in 2021, according to Bloomberg.

In Lafayette, the store located at 3311 Ambassador Caffery Parkway remains open, with no immediate signs of closure. However, in Baton Rouge, signs have already gone up indicating an impending shutdown, as noted by the Acadiana Advocate's Adam Daigle. Conn’s operates over 550 stores across 15 states, and its potential bankruptcy could impact the livelihoods of approximately 4,000 employees nationwide.

For the fiscal year ending January 31, Conn’s reported $903.7 million in product sales, a significant drop from the $986.6 million reported the previous fiscal year. The company’s financial woes are attributed to the pressures of rising inflation on its customer base, leading to decreased consumer spending, according to the Acadiana Advocate.

Bloomberg reports that despite the acquisition of Florida-based W.S. Badcock in December, aimed at boosting sales, Conn’s has struggled to integrate the new business. The potential Chapter 11 filing is viewed as a strategy to manage its mounting debts and restructure its operations.

The fate of Conn’s Louisiana stores, particularly those in Lafayette and Baton Rouge, remains uncertain.

As Conn’s approaches a critical juncture, the retail industry continues its struggle with this broad trend of bankruptcies and closures.