Jacob (clothing retailer) attributed its woes were pinned on entries by international retailers into the Canadian market, including H&M and Zara, it was also negatively impacted by "surgical shopping", a gap in the retail market increased during the recession, pushing purchasers to high end or value products, as opposed to middle market. Gap and Sears Canada were cited as casualties. The general manager of Yorkdale Shopping Centre forced the company to close its location in the mall, apparently struggling, in order to allow an outlet of American retailer J. Crew to open. On May 6, 2014 the retailer declared bankruptcy; the company would
Republic (retailer) Republic (retailer) Republic was a clothing retailer with 121 stores in the United Kingdom. In February 2013, it entered administration, and was purchased by Sports Direct. Republic was merged into Sports Direct's USC brand. Founded in 1985, as Just Jeans, after 1990, the name changed to Best Jeanswear; Republic was launched in 1998. It was a private limited company (Republic (Retail) Ltd.) and, in 2005, Change Capital invested in the company to finance expansion plans. In May 2011 the company was bought by private equity firm TPG Capital. Republic filed for administration on 13 February 2013, with Ernst & Young