American Apparel Admits It May Go Out Of Business In Next 12 Months

NEW YORK - AUGUST 18: An advertisment for an American Apparel retail store is displayed on August 18, 2010 in New York City. Shares of American Apparel have fallen 67 percent this year following news from the casual retailer that it expects a net loss of up to $7 million and that it has received a federal subpoena over its change in accounting firms. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Flirting with bankruptcy for the past five years, American Apparel admitted on Monday it has “substantial doubt” over its own future in the next year.

The company released its second quarter results, which provided a stark look into its financial books.

Sales dropped 17.2 per cent compared to the same period last year. And as of June 30, the company said it has $6.9 million cash in the bank.

In a statement, the company was upfront about not having enough money to keep its operations afloat for the next 12 months. American Apparel explained that slow sales, a strong dollar, and ominous financial projections don’t bode well for shareholders.

“These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt that we may be able to continue as a going concern,” the company said, later citing additional legal fees and “unusually high” severance costs as additional reasons why its cash reserves are draining.

Saddled with a $19.4 million loss in sales last quarter, the company also revealed plans to extend its line of credit from $50 million to $90 million.

The announcement follows a string of high-profile scandals that have dogged the L.A.-based company known for its provocative ad campaigns.

Last June, founder Dov Charney was voted out of the company following an investigation into “alleged misconduct” after a series of sexual-harassment lawsuits were filed against the Montreal native.

Charney started the company in the '90’s and over the course of a decade moved its headquarters from Montreal to L.A. before his cotton T-shirt empire became a retail giant.

He has since been locked in a defamation battle with the company amid attempts to return to its helm. But a new court challenge may spell renewed trouble for the former CEO.

On the same day American Apparel opened its books to reveal its dire straits, a motion was filed in a California court by two of the company’s board members that Charney kept photos of him having sex with employees on a work computer.

The allegations have not been proven in court.