Independent Surf Brands Stay Soulful in Shadow of Big Business

In February, Liberated Brands, the licensee of Billabong, Quiksilver, Roxy, RVCA and Volcom, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, triggering liquidation sales, layoffs and closures across all brick-and-mortar stores in the U.S.

This crisis only continues major surf brands’ struggles to remain profitable. Commercial expansion has resulted in consolidation, reduced competition, buyouts and bankruptcies.