Gordmans Stores Inc., the century-old discount department store chain, filed for bankruptcy with plans to liquidate its inventory and assets, Bloomberg News reported today. The company, which posted losses in five of the past six quarters, listed total debt of $131 million in chapter 11 papers filed today in Nebraska federal court. Gordmans said that it has an agreement with Tiger Capital Group and Great American Group “for the sale in liquidation of the inventory and other assets of Gordmans’ retail stores and distribution centers,” subject to court approval or a better offer. For now, the chain will operate “as usual without interruption,” Chief Executive Officer Andy Hall said in the statement. Omaha, Nebraska-based Gordmans, which operates over 100 stores in 22 states and employs about 5,100 people, is the latest victim in a retail industry suffering from sluggish mall traffic and a move by shoppers to the internet.
