Biology of Business

Charlotte Russe (Final)

Teen Apparel · Founded 1975 · Defunct 2019

By Alex Denne

Charlotte Russe's 2019 final liquidation after multiple restructurings demonstrates how teen retail faced generational shifts in shopping behavior. The fast fashion retailer survived one bankruptcy only to face final death as Gen Z abandoned malls entirely. Like a species that survives one mass extinction only to face another, Charlotte Russe's temporary recovery couldn't overcome fundamental behavioral changes.

Key Facts

1975
Founded