as CE Holdings. While funded and managed by the holding company in Kuala Lumpur, day-to-day operations—such as research and development, manufacturing, and design—continued to be based in the UK and US. In July 2009, Crabtree & Evelyn Ltd. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in U.S. District Court in Manhattan. Following the filing, 30 of its 126 American based stores closed. Stores in the UK were not affected by the filing. CE Holdings was sold to the Hong Kong-based investment-holding company Khuan Choo International Limited, as of July 2012, for US$155,000,000. The brand was acquired in October 2016, by Nan Hai Corporation of Hong Kong. Multiple stores within the United Kingdom closed prior to 2018, including Portsmouth, Dalton Park at Murton Seaham, and the Glasgow flagship store in Princes Square shopping centre, after struggling to make profit and rising business rental costs. All UK stores were set to close by the end of 2019, with exception of a new flagship concept store in Islington, London. In mid November 2018, it was announced that manufacturing operation in Woodstock, Connecticut, were to cease in the New Year of 2019. Late November 2018, it was announced all retail and wholesale operations were to cease to exist worldwide, with the Canada business filing for bankruptcy. The previously announced flagship "concept" store opened in Islington, London, in early 2019, but was permanently closed by 2020. The brand relaunched on 16 July 2019. Under its new ethos "Born Curious, Grown Wild" the products are available to purchase online only. References External links Personal care brands Retail companies established in 1968 1968 establishments in Massachusetts Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2009 Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2018 American companies established in 1968 Online retailers of the United States