A popular national clothing retailer has become the latest victim of COVID-19.

In a statement, Le Château said it was becoming clear that sales of Christmas and New Years’s outfits would be hard hit by the pandemic, leaving the company with no option other than to commence the liquidation process.

“Its already evident impact on consumer demand for Le Château’s holiday party and occasion wear, which represents the core of our offering, has diminished Le Château’s ability to pursue its activities,” the company said.

The retailer currently has 123 locations across Canada.

The company operates one store in this province at the Avalon Mall, but has had a presence in the province since the early 1980s with its first store at The Village Mall. Both stores were operating until recently when the Village Mall outlet closed.

The closures will affect some 1.400 employees across the nation, including 500 at the company’s head office in Montreal.