LL Flooring, formerly known as Lumber Liquidators, was established by Tom Sullivan in 1993 and grew to over 400 retail locations in the U.S. and Canada by 2020, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Unfortunately, the company has announced the closure of all its retail stores. LL Flooring has filed for bankruptcy, leading to the closure of its locations and leaving around 2,000 employees without jobs. The remaining stores are currently holding liquidation sales, selling off individual assets, and fulfilling pre-existing orders while winding down operations.
Initially starting as a small business selling surplus building materials, LL Flooring gained a reputation for providing a variety of affordable flooring options, including solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, bamboo, cork, laminate, vinyl, and tile flooring. Over time, the company expanded its offerings to include flooring accessories and services for DIY projects. The decision to close all locations reflects a larger trend in the retail industry, where other major retailers such as Walmart, Foot Locker, and Big Lots are downsizing or closing their stores due to various factors such as online shopping, changing consumer behavior, and economic challenges.
Experts predict that thousands of retail locations will close in the coming years, as traditional retail shopping evolves and cities transform into urban neighborhoods. The closure of LL Flooring and other retailers underscores the changing landscape of retail, with online shopping and home delivery services becoming more prominent. Despite facing challenges and controversies, LL Flooring’s closure is part of a larger shift in the retail industry towards a new era of consumer behavior and shopping preferences.
