US trade talks with EU, Canada in focus as G7 kicks off

At Home filed for bankruptcy on Monday and said tariffs played a central role in its financial struggles.

The chain of 260 stores sells home goods and has been struggling to manage its debt load for several years as the housing market slowed down and inflation-wary customers pulled back on spending. This year, tariffs proved to be a final blow, the company’s CFO wrote in court documents.

“The volatility of the current tariff environment came at a time when the management team was working to address the company’s existing issues,” CFO Jeremy Aguilar wrote. “These newly imposed tariffs and the uncertainty of ongoing U.S. trade negotiations intensified the financial pressure on the company, accelerating the need for a comprehensive solution.”

At Home sources a large percentage of its goods from China, and the tariff uncertainty made it hard for it to plan its key Halloween and Christmas orders ahead of time. Earlier this year, it was in talks to raise money and amend an agreement with lenders to shore up its finances but realized it needed a more “comprehensive strategy” after the new tariffs were announced.

The chain is entering bankruptcy with a plan to continue operating, close some stores, and hand ownership to its lenders.