Major Retailers Closing

Airwolf1

Just wondering how many more major retailers people think will fall under the current climate?

(1st poll so may not get this right!)

vivatifosi

My guess is ten plus, purely because we're already up to 6 I think, though that could change a minute after typing this...

So far:

MFI
Woolworths
The Pier Group
Whittards
Officers Club
Zaavi

The speed that they have gone down with (plus the fact that none of them even made it to Christmas) suggests to me that we won't get away with just one or two more.

Edit: that's assuming you mean going into administration. Fewer of those will actually be wound up completely.

markelock

I don't think the media will be happy unless it's at least 15.

I hope not though. This boom/bust cycle can't be the way to go.

vivatifosi

The ones I feel most sorry for (though they involve the fewest job losses per company) are the little family run stores that will just think its not worth it any more. There will be many more than 15 of those and they will barely get a mention except perhaps in the odd local paper.

markelock

thinking the same thing yesterday, whilst the media do there best to scaremonger, it doesn't look good for the foreseeable.

Airwolf1

I've gone for a further 6-10. I hope it isn't more, as tthere will be a lot of unemployment etc,which *may* lead to more crime as well, that is always another aspect. Although I would hope it is purely a minority.

IveSeenTheLight

I've been looking to upgrade one of my properties to include a 40" LCD television.
I have checked out prices in the retail shops and online and find I can get approx £200 cheaper on line i.e. £550 instead of £780.

The point is, why would I buy from a retail store when I can get delivered for free from online?

I'm sure online retailing is hugely affecting retail stores

epz_2

IveSeenTheLight wrote: »

I've been looking to upgrade one of my properties to include a 40" LCD television.
I have checked out prices in the retail shops and online and find I can get approx £200 cheaper on line i.e. £550 instead of £780.

The point is, why would I buy from a retail store when I can get delivered for free from online?

I'm sure online retailing is hugely affecting retail stores

my little sister did a 110% price match at pcworld to get a 42" 100hz 1080p 24fps toshiba for £490 so you can use the price discrepancy to your advantage.

lonestar1

The Pier Group
Whittards
Officers Club

I'd never heard of these before they went to the wall

dreemgirl

I think a fair few will go during 2009...

my guesses: Clinton cards - who buys cards these days with ecards!!
currys
JJB sports
la senza
monsoon

drbeat

My guess (only a guess):

Halfords
Currys
Range
Homebase
PC World
JJB

The reasons behind my 'guess' is that these retailers embarked on a program of massive expansion starting in 2002. They suddenly appeared on redeveloped brownfield sites with massive stores. It's obvious that their rents are huge and their business model was based on selling credit, warrenties and the use of personal credit. Now that those days are behind us - and that the sheeple are now tightening their belts - I do wonder how these retailers can stay in business. All you have to do is hark back to how they struggled in the early 90s; back then they were little high street or off-high street outlets.

Just how are they going to survive if consumer spending returns to pre-boom levels?

Is it possible that the we'll see a revival of the High Street again as consumers switch from the swanky retail parks back to the retailers who don't have massive overheads?