It started with Wet Seal, a discount apparel brand I remember well from my high school days, which filed for bankruptcy in January.

It shuttered its Sarasota Square Mall store on Jan 5. Next came Delia’s, a fashion apparel chain for girls and teens, which liquidated its Sarasota Square store (and all others) in January when the brand filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.Fresh Produce, a Colorado-based apparel chain with a store on St. Armands Circle, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this month. The Sarasota store is still open, though its future is uncertain.

The retailer, which sells tropical and vibrant every-day wear and sportswear for women, listed several outstanding debts, including a $3.9 million loan with Wells Fargo and an “unknown” debt for commercial rent to a Sarasota-based company, Great Lakes Developments.

Fresh Produce celebrated its 30th anniversary last year.

The most recent casualty was Cache, known for its evening gowns popular at high school proms, which is closing all of its more than 200 stores nationwide, including its store in the Mall at University Town Center, which opened in October. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this month.

The growing line of failing women’s apparel chains paints a dreary picture for the brick-and-mortar retail industry. More people are shopping online, where the competition for consumers’ loyalty is fierce.

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