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TORONTO • A balmy winter gave Danier Leather Inc. its final push towards initiating insolvency proceedings last week, but the rising popularity of down-filled parkas might have had a longer-term hand in the retailer’s downfall, according to court filings.

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The Montreal-based company found success when it embraced the iconic dessert’s biggest asset, locating its outlets on the tops of ski hills, in amusement parks, at street fairs and holiday festivals

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Founded in 1972 with 84 stores across Canada, the leather goods retailer unsuccessfully attempted to reposition itself in 2013 by consolidating parts of the business, growing sales of higher-margin accessories and improving merchandising and planning.

But that “effected change too quickly, and resulted in the unintended loss of institutional knowledge due to new management hires during the period,” said an affidavit from Danier’s chief financial officer Brent Houlden, who joined the leather goods company last July to aid in the company’s restructuring efforts.