American Apparel has filed for bankruptcy, endangering its 13 UK stores and European operations as the parent US business seeks a buyer.

Jim Tucker and Richard Beard of KPMG have been appointed to wind down the UK operations, although they will trade as usual in the lead up to the Christmas period. Being in key high street locations, they are expected to attract lucrative offers.

Jim Tucker, joint administrator and restructuring partner at KPMG, said: "The American Apparel group has been experiencing strong retail headwinds, which has culminated in the US parent deciding to stop inventory shipments to the UK.

"The UK business has experienced similar trading difficulties, resulting in the appointment of administrators.”
The company was founded in 1989 by Canadian Dov Charney, with whom the company split in October last year under acrimonious circumstances.