Mothercare shutting 107 stores

Butterfly_Brain

The only sad thing is that a lot more people are out of a job

Conrad

Butterfly_Brain wrote: »

The only sad thing is that a lot more people are out of a job

On the other hand, internet and out of down market participants are growing.

High streets are drastically changing and ultimately thier fortunes depend upon consumer behaviour.

Unless rents are slashed and councils rethink parking there is little to save the high st.
Perhaps they will become more specialist focused in time, going back full circle?

ninky_2

i seriously don't understand the nostalgia over a line of shops in what is known as the high street. people will still go for a coffee or what have you. i mean are you seriously going to feel a loss of community / social life if there are no shops on the high street? it's just a line of buildings filled with stuff for you to pay money for, staffed by fairly bored people. no great loss if it goes imho.

what is the problem?

ILW

ninky wrote: »

i seriously don't understand the nostalgia over a line of shops in what is known as the high street. people will still go for a coffee or what have you. i mean are you seriously going to feel a loss of community / social life if there are no shops on the high street? it's just a line of buildings filled with stuff for you to pay money for, staffed by fairly bored people. no great loss if it goes imho.

what is the problem?

This less mobile (eg old etc) tend to be the ones that suffer the most. An 80 year old without a car or anyone to drive them to the out of town store will have the most problem.

I do say this as someone who has virtually abandoned my local high street just because I can park simply and quickly at the megastore or retail park.

ninky_2

ILW wrote: »

This less mobile (eg old etc) tend to be the ones that suffer the most. An 80 year old without a car or anyone to drive them to the out of town store will have the most problem.

I do say this as someone who has virtually abandoned my local high street just because I can park simply and quickly at the megastore or retail park.

historically. now much easier with home delivery for the less mobile to get what they need. the wonders of technology,eh? believe it or not even OAPs can navigate internet shopping or have a relative do it for them. my friend regularly orders tesco supermarket deliveries for her elderly mother who is too frail to make it to the shops - even the high street requires a walk and then you have to carry everything back.

personally i think people are generally wary of change even when what they are protecting is highly questionable.

Conrad

ninky wrote: »

i seriously don't understand the nostalgia over a line of shops in what is known as the high street.

Good point. I used a quaint ole French high street which was a fun nostalgic experience for about 10 minutes.
You soon get over loaded with bags of stuff from each shop such as the fishmonger, baker, green grocer and then the mini mart for washing powder etc. You end up having to keep going back to the car to unburden yourself and it all ends up a bit hot n sweaty if your'e like me and don't relish standing in hot shops and queues.

Conrad

ninky wrote: »

personally i think people are generally wary of change even when what they are protecting is highly questionable.

I want to read the new widely acclaimed new book 'The Social Animal' in which the author argues we are all very illogical despite what we tell ourselves.

We take a position out of habit and familiarity.

ninky_2

Conrad wrote: »

I want to read the new widely acclaimed new book 'The Social Animal' in which the author argues we are all very illogical despite what we tell ourselves.

We take a position out of habit and familiarity.

haven't heard of that one. have you read straw dogs by john gray? a similar line very well argued.

ruggedtoast

Have a family member who works for Mothercare so we get a 20% discount when we can go through the palaver of getting her discount card.

I must say I havent been blown away by the quality of the stuff. We bought a lot before we had a newborn and a lot of the own brand stuff they shipped was defective, dirty, or had to be sent back. Some were clearly returns they had sent out again.

It currently doesnt have a lot of competition in its market segment, though it does seem like the supermarkets are stepping up their game a bit. If Mamas and Pappas start to cut prices a bit I think Mothercare could be in some trouble.

I do like ELC though.

Thrugelmir

ninky wrote: »

i seriously don't understand the nostalgia over a line of shops in what is known as the high street. people will still go for a coffee or what have you. i mean are you seriously going to feel a loss of community / social life if there are no shops on the high street? it's just a line of buildings filled with stuff for you to pay money for, staffed by fairly bored people. no great loss if it goes imho.

what is the problem?

Are you a City dweller?