debenhams gone into liquidation

[megaflyer]

Originally Posted by snowbelle

Dont forget Home Bargains and B&M

Who have literally seen profits explode during this pandemic

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The Range is another one that is increasingly popular - I only wish there was a range near me where I live as loved the one in Grantham (no Home Bargains or B&M either (never been in those or even seen them in Central London to not motive my locals TK Max has closed and wont be re-opening it seems ))

[123]

Originally Posted by Mr Tom Morrow

I lay money on the fact that the Amazon board have been planning for over a year as to how they intend to fill the gap as these Dept Stores and others collapse.

I have no doubt that they will launch a huge fashion part of their website with the ability to take advantage of reduced return fees thus enabling different sizes to be bought and return at a reasonable cost those that don't fit.

I give John Lewis 12 months at the most.

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I think John Lewis will be OK, they will however convert a lot of their retail space to Waitrose, as that part of the partnership is making money hand over fist

[2point]

I feel for the staff.

I work for a high street retailer, thankfully the business model has rode the storm of Covid so far and is well set to continue on the path set by the Board.

A huge knock on effect of the 2008 financial crash was money being moved into property, especially commercial property. Those asset holders want their pound of flesh with an increasing return on their investment - rents went through the roof.

There is a common theme also with many of these retail companies failing - historical pension funds with huge deficits.

[megaflyer]

Oldrids was an institution when I was younger and used to drive there - I wonder if Downtown at Gonerby Moor will survive then ? Maybe Boundary Mills will keep it alive ... Bins in Lincoln was another favourite day trip for us

[mickey house]

Originally Posted by Sandra & co

Love Debenhams and worked there many years ago, it’s the only shop worth visiting in Harrow.

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I hate Harrow shopping centre and I haven't been there for maybe 15 years and it's only 10 minutes from Ruislip Manor on the Met line.

I won't miss Debenhams but if it goes I will obviously feel for the staff. They even put a costa in the one in Uxbridge and its the biggest unit in the new shopping centre there (Debenhams not costa) so that will be a blow as intu shopping centres were in financial trouble even before the pandemic.

[Scaramouche]

I really feel for the staff, but I really can’t say I’m surprised. What I am
Surprised about is that it has lasted so long I don’t shop in there, it’s one of the only places I can get bras in store but the quality has been so Appalling the last 3 times I went that I’ve never gone back.

I think JL will downsize more, but I don’t think they’ll go under. They might though, this corona coaster just keeps on giving.

[myaquarium]

We as a nation are to be blame for all these institutions going to the wall. We are nearly all guilty of buying online to save a pound or two. You don’t miss things until they are gone.
As soon as all the competition has gone from the high street expect online prices to rise. You can already see this happening with certain products from manufacturers who refuse to discount items because the lack of competition. They sell on limited platforms and fix the prices.
Add this to lockdowns and people refusing to work in town centres and it’s a perfect storm for online retail.

[Sue]

Originally Posted by 123

I think John Lewis will be OK, they will however convert a lot of their retail space to Waitrose, as that part of the partnership is making money hand over fist

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JL may survive, I hope so as I love it but I think they have made a huge mistake in appointing a CEO who has zero retail experience. They rebranded as well which was, to my mind, a waste of money (from green bags etc to black and white).
They are already removing their “never knowingly undersold” motto as they cannot compete.
As for Waitrose, I went there last week as it was convenient to another errand I had to run, I was totally stunned at their prices compared to even Tesco (and their prices have gone up), never mind Aldi. It was mostly affluent looking retired folk in there.
How can anyone afford to do their grocery shopping there?

[megaflyer]

Originally Posted by myaquarium

We as a nation are to be blame for all these institutions going to the wall. We are nearly all guilty of buying online to save a pound or two. You don’t miss things until they are gone.
As soon as all the competition has gone from the high street expect online prices to rise. You can already see this happening with certain products from manufacturers who refuse to discount items because the lack of competition. They sell on limited platforms and fix the prices. l.

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This is not true, certainly in my case.


I would MUCH rather visit a store but with Covid many have been closed March so I have been forced to shop online. Then when they re-opened before last lockdown JL (Peter Jones) insisted on having a virtual line t get into their store an I wasnt going to do that so I had to shop, again, online. The stores have been slow to adapt and shoppers patience thin - I would love to shop local (infact I ordered my bed and bedroom furniture local to me in Clapham) but I am looking for a new settee online as I dont have an alternative but it certainly has probably cost me a “pound or 2” more ...

Debanhams didnt adapt to change - M&S and JL are not recognising what is happening and are too slow to adapt so I feel will move online at best or disappear all together...

[Scaramouche]

Originally Posted by Sue

JL may survive, I hope so as I love it but I think they have made a huge mistake in appointing a CEO who has zero retail experience. They rebranded as well which was, to my mind, a waste of money (from green bags etc to black and white).
They are already removing their “never knowingly undersold” motto as they cannot compete.
As for Waitrose, I went there last week as it was convenient to another errand I had to run, I was totally stunned at their prices compared to even Tesco (and their prices have gone up), never mind Aldi. It was mostly affluent looking retired folk in there.
How can anyone afford to do their grocery shopping there?

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I remember in the training for Waitrose 10 Years ago they said “we have to charge the same amount fr milk as other supermarkets, because everyone knows the price of milk. Same the bread. However, most other things, we will charge more because people don’t know”. People aren’t stupid!

But on the flip slide, everyone thinks ASDA is cheaper, and actually there are quite a few things that if you don’t hit a rollback are more expensive than Tesco pricing. I also find Iceland more experience as something could be £1.75 in Tesco but it will be £2.00 in Iceland as nearly everything is always on the pound. I’ve done quite a few comparisons and the total
Basket always for me personally comes out cheaper at Tesco. At the moment I am getting whatever is cheapest in each shop. Takes a long time to do the shop now and is probably the least covid secure... but needs must!