Research Details

Abstract

Steve & Barry's grew rapidly in the mid-2000s, transitioning from a chain of small stores selling inexpensive collegiate-branded merchandise near university campuses into a $1 billion mall-based giant selling a wide variety of low-priced, celebrity-endorsed apparel. While the company had a wide following, elements of its growth strategy?otentially exacerbated by economic conditions?ontributed to its quick downfall. By 2008 Steve & Barry's had declared bankruptcy, and various private equity firms were investigating whether some or all of the company should be saved. This requires analyzing the underlying business strategy pursued by Steve & Barry's before and after its growth phase and specifically diagnosing the explanations for its failure.

Type

Case

Author(s)

Michael Mazzeo, Ariel Shwayder, Sachin Waikar

Date Published

12/01/2009

Citations

Mazzeo, Michael, Ariel Shwayder, and Sachin Waikar. Steve & Barry's: To Save or Not To Save?. Case 5-309-501 (KEL446).

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