Major clearance sales have begun at all Ricki’s Fashions, Cleo Fashions, and Bootlegger Clothing locations across Toronto as parent company Comark Holdings enters creditor protection, affecting over 200 stores nationwide including key Toronto-area retail hubs.
The retail group, which commenced CCAA proceedings on January 7, 2025, is conducting store-closing sales with discounts of up to 40% at all locations. In the Greater Toronto Area, the closure impacts several major shopping destinations, with standalone and co-branded locations spread across prime retail corridors.
“Bootlegger, Ricki’s and cleo offer highly sought-after, dynamic fashionwear at a great value,” said Tiger Group Executive Managing Director Bradley W. Snyder. “This sale represents a rare opportunity for shoppers. Come early for the best selections. These sales will last for a limited time only.”
Goods are still in transit to these stores, Snyder added. “We have plenty of new merchandise arriving daily,” he said, “so shoppers will see a constantly evolving selection of dynamic fashions.”
National Retail Footprint Affected:
The liquidation extends across 217 locations nationwide, marking one of Canada’s largest fashion retail closures in recent years. The breakdown of locations by region reveals the extensive reach of these Canadian retail brands:
Western Canada:
- Alberta: 26 locations including major presence in Calgary’s Market Mall and West Edmonton Mall
- British Columbia: 17 stores spanning from Vancouver Island to the Interior
- Saskatchewan: 11 locations including Midtown Plaza Saskatoon and Cornwall Center Regina
Central Canada:
- Ontario: 71 locations across major urban centers and suburban markets
- Manitoba: 6 stores including CF Polo Park and St. Vital Centre in Winnipeg
Atlantic Canada:
- New Brunswick: Key locations in Fredericton’s Regent Mall and Dieppe’s Champlain Place
- Nova Scotia: Prominent stores in Dartmouth’s Micmac Mall and Sydney’s Mayflower Mall
- Newfoundland and Labrador: Strategic presence in St. John’s Avalon Mall and Corner Brook Plaza
GTA Locations Affected:
Ricki’s standalone stores include prominent locations at Bramalea City Center in Brampton, Lynden Park Mall in Brantford, and the Etobicoke Smart Center. Cleo maintains its presence at the TD Centre in downtown Toronto, while Bootlegger’s flagship locations include White Oaks Mall and Windsor Crossing.
The retailer also operates several co-branded locations throughout the region, including:
- Aurora East Power Center
- Smart Center Barrie South
- Hamilton SE Power Center
- Oakville Place (triple-branded location)
- Eastgate Square Hamilton (triple-branded location)
For Toronto shoppers, the liquidation represents the final opportunity to access these Canadian fashion retailers’ merchandise. All locations have suspended gift card redemptions and returns as of January 17, 2025. The closure marks another significant shift in Toronto’s retail landscape, following recent exits by other fashion retailers.
The closure represents a significant shift in Canada’s retail landscape, particularly affecting mid-sized cities where these brands have been anchor tenants in regional malls. The liquidation impacts approximately 415,000 square feet of retail space nationwide, with major mall operators now facing the challenge of filling significant vacancies across multiple properties.
These closures will create substantial retail space availability across the GTA’s major shopping centers, with the total square footage of affected stores reaching into the tens of thousands. The timeline for final store closures will vary by location, with liquidation sales expected to continue while merchandise remains available.
Dustin Fuhs is the Editor-in-Chief of 6ix Retail. He is the former Editor-in-Chief of Retail Insider, Canada’s most-read retail trade publication. He has over 20 years of experience in the retail, marketing, entertainment and hospitality industries, including with The Walt Disney Company, The Hockey Hall of Fame, Starbucks and Blockbuster.
Dustin was named as a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert in 2024 and 2025.