VF Corp. is continuing its turnaround efforts, moving the historic Dickies brand headquarters to California and shuttering a VF distribution center in Virginia.

Approximately 120 Dickies employees will be impacted by the move, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and 242 employees will be affected by the VF distribution center closure, reported Fashion Dive.

Dickies HQ will move into Vans’ headquarters in Costa Mesa, California, off the 405-freeway.

VF told the Star-Telegram that the move, scheduled for May 2025, “will help us revitalize Dickies so we can carry on the brand’s heritage for years to come.” See a full statement from VF Corp. below.

Dickies was founded in 1922 in Fort Worth and was acquired by VF Corp. in 2017 for $820 million. Revenues at Dickies decreased by 11% and 13% in the three and six months ended September 2024, compared to the previous year. Dickies left its historic campus last year and moved into an office that was renovated for approximately $4.5 million, according to the Star-Telegram.

VF Corp. CEO Bracken Darrell warned more cost-cutting was on the horizon when he shared the company’s plans to return to growth in October at a special investor day presentation. Shortly thereafter, S&P Global Ratings downgraded VF Corp.’s credit rating to junk status, partly because of declines at its top four brands: Vans, The North Face, Timberland, and Dickies.

VF previously announced its plan to shutter a 500,000 square-foot distribution center in Virginia, and it will do so by March 2025, according to Fashion Dive.

Former Gap executive Chris Goble was appointed brand president of Dickies in October. In August, Darrell told investors on the company’s earnings call for the quarter that ended on June 29 that Dickies had tried to expand its lifestyle offerings too quickly, and abandoned its workwear success, which drives the most revenue.

“In the U.S., it’s really struggled because we lost our footing in our core work business, and we’re really refocused completely there now,” he said. “So I’d say more to come there. I think Dickies is a fantastic brand and a great business, a really good, strong, solid brand, and we’ll get it back on its footing. It will just take a little time.”

VF Corp’s Director of External Communications Ashley McCormack sent the following statement from the company:

VF is relocating the Dickies headquarters, impacting approximately 120 employees, from Fort Worth, TX to an existing brand campus the company maintains in Costa Mesa, CA. This move allows VF to further consolidate its US real estate portfolio as part of its stated business turnaround strategy. But more importantly, by co-locating Dickies with our Vans team in Costa Mesa, we will create an even more vibrant campus where creativity and best practice sharing can thrive through greater collaboration and connections – creating a dynamic and innovative environment similar to our other VF co-branded offices.   

While this move will support the revitalization of the Dickies brand, it will impact a significant number of positions held by our Dickies associates at the Fort Worth headquarters. These kinds of decisions are never made lightly. We are deeply grateful for our Dickies associates’ dedication and hard work and want to recognize the camaraderie and commitment they have shown to the brand.  

This relocation will be carefully managed over an extended transition period, with completion expected by May 2025. Our priority is to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and care throughout this process. We will provide resources and assistance to help them navigate the next steps in their careers.  

We remain proud of Dickies storied Fort Worth roots, where the brand opened its doors in 1922, and the brand will maintain a strong employment presence in the area, with associates who will continue to work in the Fort Worth distribution facility, as well as the warehouse and stores in the greater Dallas/Fort Worth area.

While this was a tough call, we are confident this change will help us revitalize Dickies so we can carry on the brand’s heritage for years to come.

Kate Robertson can be reached at [email protected].