US fashion brand tells customers it will close all mainland China stores by end of March as analysts cite weak localisation, strategy gaps
3-MIN READ3-MINZhu Wenqianin BeijingPublished: 11:12am, 16 Mar 2026US fashion brand Guess has told customers it will close all its stores in mainland China by the end of March, pending a new business model at a time when a growing number of international fashion retailers retreat from the market amid what analysts believe are issues including weak localisation and slow decision-making.Other foreign brands that have withdrawn entirely from mainland China in recent years include US label Old Navy, UK brand Topshop, and several labels owned by Spanish fashion group Inditex – Bershka, Pull&Bear, Stradivarius and loungewear brand Oysho.
The decision also comes after US-based Authentic Brands Group (ABG) acquired a majority stake in Guess in January. The deal valued the clothing brand at US$1.4 billion, including debt.
