Debtwired! Are Retail Companies Fixable in Modern Day Restructurings?
Jul 28, 2025
Holly Etlin, a retail turnaround management specialist at AlixPartners, dives into the critical issues facing modern retail companies. She discusses the differences between in-court and out-of-court restructurings and the necessity for legislative changes. Amidst the backdrop of shifting sourcing strategies post-COVID, Etlin highlights retailers' struggles with tariffs and changing consumer demand. With the future looking grim, she warns of the challenges in securing capital and the potential for many companies to close shop instead of reviving their operations.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Commitment & Passion in Restructuring
- Prepare for a demanding career in restructuring by accepting the intense time commitments required.
- Find a sector you genuinely enjoy to sustain a long-lasting career, as Holly does with retail.
From Pre-med to Economics
- Holly Etlin switched from pre-med to economics to avoid a narrow focus in college.
- She balanced her interests by using science credits as breadth requirements while pursuing economics.
Tariff Impacts Fuel Retail Uncertainty
- Tariff changes create major uncertainty for retailers in forecasting and purchasing.
- Retailers negotiate tariff cost splits with vendors and worry about modest consumer demand forecasts.