Why Did Gymboree Declare Bankruptcy?

Once upon a time, I used to be a frequent shopper at Gymboree.

The clothes were adorable. They were known to be "matchy matchy." There would be matching hats, tights, hair pieces, purses, and shoes. I ate this up. So did many other parents. 

People would ask how I could spend the money on overpriced clothes, but if you shopped the sales, the clothes weren't much more than ones found at Walmart. Also, there were usually always coupons stuffed in magazines, so that helped too. The quality was there.

The employees began to know who I was. There was one, Dorothy, who would greet me by name.

I would re-sell the clothes so I could buy new outfits. Sometimes. There were some that I still have to this day. I'm not sure why I'm holding onto them. I'm done having kids. Maybe for future grandkids? Or maybe because we had a lot of wonderful memories in Gymboree.

Some years ago I began to notice the quality was going downhill. I mean, I get it, companies want to save money so they try to come up with ways to do this. But I find when this happens, customers stop shopping. 

Yes, part of the reason why I didn't shop there was much was because my daughter was getting older, but it was mostly because the quality was going and the sales seemed to be diminishing. There used to be a Red Balloon Sale, where clothes from past lines would be out and incredibly cheap. I would load up here. Where did all the sales go? 

I noticed the Gymboree lines that came out weren't as appealing. The styles seemed off. In the past there were lines that I would grab up. (And they all had fun names. Cupcake Cutie. Petite Mademoiselle. Cozy Owl.)

So why did Gymboree declare bankruptcy? Well, they didn't listen to their customers. I know there is more to a business than I'll ever know, but they missed the mark by giving up the quality of their clothes. They also started going modern, and modern can be boring. I was part of various Gymboree groups, and mothers LOVED the "matchy matchy" aspects of the lines. When that went away, what was the point? When Gymboree started to look like regular clothes, there was no reason to shop there anymore. 

It's probably too late now, but if Gymboree were to bring back old lines, they'd make a killing, I can almost guarantee it. If they brought back the quality, people would return. 

My daughter can still fit into Gymboree, and I found the clothes she picked to be age-appropriate. But I would have not purchased it if she were younger. I would want the whimsical looks and the matching hats. I would want the purses and the shoes. 

I'm sorry Gymboree will be gone. I'm sorry they didn't listen to their customers who were the ones scooping up the clothes years ago. 

But maybe other stores will take it as a lesson. Don't take the easy route. Modern doesn't always mean stylish. Most parents want to dress their kids as...well KIDS. Not as mini teenagers. Matching knee socks will always be a hit. 

At least we'll always have memories of the Gymboree we loved. 

And I am grateful for that.