LL Flooring closes all stores after bankruptcy filing

LL Flooring, formerly known as Lumber Liquidators, has announced the closure of all its stores following a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing on August 11. The company, which once boasted over 400 locations across the United States, has struggled with declining sales attributed to reduced consumer spending on home renovations amid high interest rates and inflation. Despite efforts to negotiate a sale, LL Flooring determined that liquidating its assets would provide the best outcome for creditors. The wind-down of operations began the week of September 3, with closing sales starting on September 6. The entire process is expected to take around 12 weeks, although the timeline may vary by store. Customers with existing orders will have their installations completed within 30 days, but no new installations will be offered after September 6. All sales will be final post this date, leaving customers who have made deposits without the option for refunds. Founded in 1994 by Tom Sullivan, the company rebranded to LL Flooring in 2021 after facing scrutiny over the safety of its products, particularly following a 2015 investigation that revealed high levels of formaldehyde in its flooring sourced from China. In 2019, LL Flooring settled federal charges related to these safety concerns for $33 million. The closure of LL Flooring adds to a growing list of retailers facing challenges in the current economic climate, with inflation and cash-strapped consumers impacting sales. The recent shutdown of Bob's Stores further highlights the struggles within the retail sector, as companies grapple with changing consumer behaviors and economic pressures.