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知名时尚品牌重返中国市场,曾两度申请破产、全球开店超800家
21世纪经济报道·2025-08-31 00:34

Core Viewpoint - Forever 21 is making its fourth attempt to enter the Chinese market, reflecting the persistence of foreign fast fashion brands in a crucial consumer market despite previous failures [1][6][12]. Group 1: Market Entry and Strategy - Forever 21 has partnered with Shanghai Chengdi, a subsidiary of Vipshop, to enhance its digital presence and marketing capabilities in China [3][5]. - The brand aims to leverage its global supply chain and product development strengths while utilizing Vipshop's platform advantages to innovate its channels [5][12]. - The company plans to offer trendy apparel at affordable prices and has initiated various marketing activities to re-establish its presence [5][6]. Group 2: Challenges and Market Dynamics - The Chinese fast fashion market has undergone significant changes, making it more competitive and complex than before, which poses challenges for Forever 21 [6][12]. - Analysts express skepticism about Forever 21's ability to differentiate itself and adapt to local consumer trends, emphasizing the need for a localized strategy [6][12]. - The fast fashion industry is experiencing a transformation, with many international brands struggling to maintain relevance, while local brands are rapidly gaining market share [12][13]. Group 3: Historical Context - Forever 21 has previously entered and exited the Chinese market three times, with its first attempt in 2008 failing due to poor location choices and a lack of market understanding [7][9]. - The brand enjoyed a peak sales period from 2000 to 2015, reaching over $4 billion in annual sales and operating more than 800 stores globally [8][9]. - However, the rise of e-commerce and failure to adapt to digital trends led to its decline, resulting in multiple market exits and bankruptcy filings [9][10].