Frank and Oak to Shut All Stores, Sell Brand IP Amid Canadian Retail Reshuffle
Canadian lifestyle brand Frank and Oak is set to close all 14 of its remaining brick-and-mortar stores in the coming weeks, officially marking the end of its presence in physical retail. The move comes as the company restructures under financial strain and prepares to sell its intellectual property to Montreal-based Lamour Group and Thread Collective Inc.
Advertisement
What Happens Next for Frank and Oak?
Although the company’s original parent entity, UGC Canada Holdings Inc., is expected to file for bankruptcy, the Frank and Oak brand itself will live on. The approved sale allows the new owners to explore a potential relaunch in select markets or online channels, while maintaining the e-commerce platform for Canadian customers.
A liquidation of existing inventory is expected to begin soon, with all sales marked final.
A Pandemic-Era Retail Casualty
Frank and Oak, once considered a darling of millennial fashion, has struggled since the pandemic upended global retail. In December 2024, the company filed a notice of intention to restructure due to supply chain disruptions, changing consumer behavior, and rising real estate costs.
Retail analyst Bruce Winder said the brand “lost some of their mojo” after COVID-19, noting that the economic landscape no longer favors businesses with large physical footprints.
Store Closures and Staff Impact
The closures affect stores in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia, including well-known locations at:
- Queen Street West, Toronto
- Place St. Foy and Carrefour Laval, Quebec
- Cordova and West 4th, Vancouver
- CF Rideau Centre, Ottawa
- Stanley St. and St. Viateur, Montreal
Court filings indicate the company employed about 150 workers, though it remains unclear how many will be directly impacted by the closures.
Industry Pressures: Retail’s New Reality
Frank and Oak isn’t alone. Canadian brands like Cleo, Ricki’s, and Hudson’s Bay are also undergoing store closures and restructuring, citing:
Advertisement
- Persistent supply chain issues
- Rising rents and real estate costs
- A shift toward global e-commerce platforms like Shein and Temu
- Consumer fatigue amid inflation and political uncertainty, including trade war risks from U.S. tariffs
According to consulting firm Arcus, Frank and Oak’s case highlights the urgent need for “agility and innovation” in Canadian retail, emphasizing a pivot toward leaner, digital-first strategies.
Still a Future for the Brand?
While the original company may vanish, there’s optimism around Frank and Oak’s digital presence. The new owners plan to preserve the brand, potentially relaunching in more targeted or online-only formats.
With strong brand recognition and a loyal customer base, Frank and Oak could still carve out a niche—just not through mall storefronts.
Do you think Frank and Oak can thrive as an online-only brand, or has the market moved on?
More…
- https://www.msn.com/en-ca/money/topstories/frank-and-oak-to-close-all-stores-sell-intellectual-property/ar-AA1Dpvxi
- https://toronto.citynews.ca/2025/04/22/frank-and-oak-to-close-all-stores-sell-intellectual-property
- https://globalnews.ca/news/11127074/canadian-brand-frank-and-oak-close-stores-seek-buyer
Advertisement
