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When the coronavirus sent millions home to social distance and closed stores across the U.S. and beyond, the clock started ticking — and it ticked much faster for some.

For many retailers, a few quick steps — curbside pickup programs that sprang up overnight, suddenly ship from store web sites, furloughs and pay reductions — were enough to keep afloat, as long as they could convince their backers that there was a place for them post pandemic.

The rush to bankruptcy included private equity-backed Neiman Marcus Group, J. Crew Group and John Varvatos, which all filed for Chapter 11 protection, along with the Ascena Retail Group, Tailored Brands Inc., Centric Brands and Le Tote (along with its Lord & Taylor unit), all of which never quite recovered from their dealmaking.

Joining them were J.C. Penney Co. Inc., Brooks Brothers, Retailwinds, Stage Stores, Lucky Brand and True Religion, as well as many more.

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