Long Tall Sally Isn’t Going Out of Business Anymore — This Is Why

Long Tall Sally is under new ownership.

The London-based specialty chain, which announced two months ago that it would permanently close up shop, has been snapped up by fashion conglomerate AK Retail Holdings Ltd., whose portfolio includes big and tall men’s retailer BadRhino, as well as Bump It Up Maternity and Yours London. As part of the deal, which closes on Sept. 1, AK Retail Holdings will own Long Tall Sally’s e-commerce business and intellectual property.

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In a statement, AK Retail Holdings’ owner and CEO Andrew Killingsworth said, “We are thrilled to be able to bring Long Tall Sally into our family of retailers. The brand is one we are proud to own, and we look forward to engaging in meaningful dialogue with Long Tall Sally customers, developing the offer and taking the brand to the next stage.”

Long Tall Sally, which sells clothing and accessories for women 5-foot-8 and taller, has faced significant challenges since 2017 amid increased competition. In the hopes of strengthening its position, it implemented a turnaround plan in 2018 that included the shuttering of its brick-and-mortar fleet.

However, the coronavirus pandemic had thrown a wrench into its recovery plans. In mid-June, the company said that the “changing economics of retail, along with fierce competition,” coupled with the “very sudden and very profound impact” of the health crisis had weakened its balance sheet. As a result, chief operating officer Alison Doherty announced that Long Tall Sally would be “winding down” its business.

At the time, the chain said that it expected to shut down its website in late August and was open to finding a buyer or selling its assets. “When we announced our closure back in June, we were heartbroken that Long Tall Sally would no longer exist, but after weeks of negotiation, we’re thrilled that the brand can now live on and our loyal customers can continue to enjoy the unique fit that’s so important to us all,” Doherty wrote in a statement on its website.

Founded in 1976, Long Tall Sally caters to taller women with a selection of larger footwear sizes and apparel with longer torso, shoulder and hip proportions. In addition to offering its own label, the retailer carries styles from brands like Karl Lagerfeld, Dolce Vita and Blowfish.