Michigan Sporting Goods Distributors, which operates 68 sporting goods stores in seven Midwestern states, has begun store liquidation sales at its MC Sports, MC Sporting Goods, MC Sport Outdoors Centers and Traverse Bay Tackle stores. The company plans to close all of its stores after the liquidation sales. The sporting goods chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last week after an agreement couldn't be reached on an out-of-court proposal to restructure the company’s finances.
Total Retail’s Take: Unfortunately, the bankruptcy of MC Sports is just the latest retail chain to announce it will cease operations, closing dozens of stores. Within the past year, many Macy's, Kmart, Sears, Staples and multiple mall-based apparel chains have closed in the U.S. The situation for sporting goods retailers seems particularly volatile: Sports Authority closed in 2016; Gander Mountain is working with advisors on repositioning its 162 stores amid reports it may seek bankruptcy; and now Wal-Mart recently acquired the 10 stores of Michigan-based Moosejaw.

Melissa Campanelli is Editor-in-Chief of Total Retail. She is an industry veteran, having covered all aspects of retail, tech, digital, e-commerce, and marketing over the past 20 years. Melissa is also the co-founder of the Women in Retail Leadership Circle.