It may be hard to believe, but Black Friday is just around the corner. The shopping holiday that traditionally kicks off the holiday season is often the biggest day for retailers, and the holiday season, lasting from Thanksgiving to Christmas, is the most important time of year in the industry, especially for chains that cater to gift-givers.
However, plenty of brick-and-mortar chains are struggling as the "retail apocalypse" continues to churn through the industry, with the rise of e-commerce and a change in shopping habits forcing some retailers into bankruptcy. Others have simply been slowly declining.
Below are four retailers teetering on the edge of relevancy, facing a make-or-break holiday season. Here's why the coming weeks will be crucial for J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP), Macy's (NYSE: M), L Brands (NYSE: LB), and Gap Inc (NYSE: GPS).