Sarah Raven - some shockingly bad feedback

Doc_N

Farway said:

Doc_N said:

This is worth the read:

Sarah Raven bought by Sarah Raven

Sarah Raven, founder of her namesake gardening and lifestyle retail brand has acquired the brand once more in a pre-pack administration deal. 

Launched in 2008, SarahRaven.com has delivered millions of plants, bulbs, seeds and horticultural products to customers across the UK. The business faced further challenges with a 35% decline in sales after Covid-19 and ongoing financial pressures due to cost inflation, increased National Insurance costs, unseasonal weather and the implementation of new ERP systems, the business faced further challenges from an unexpected VAT demand from HMRC that led directors to consider their options. 

They decided that a sale of assets to the original founder was the best option, ensuring continuity, maintaining employment and providing a foundation for the brand’s future. 

Sarah Raven said: “The past few years have been challenging for British horticultural retailers, supplies and entrepreneurs and despite significant effort, this restructure was necessary to ensure the ongoing viability of SarahRaven.com.”

https://www.businessrescueexpert.co.uk/your-weekly-business-insolvency-news-round-up-for-july-11th-to-18th-2025/


So Sarah Raven comes out of it smelling of roses. I wonder how the creditors feel about that? That’s the very last time I’ll be dealing with this woman!

I don't know any details, but perhaps she sold as a thriving business but included the name, and she had no say in future direction of firm.?

Bit like Morrisons, all goes down hill once founder departs

Just maybe she has bought it back to save jobs & rebuild?

Hardly!

https://homeofdirectcommerce.com/news/sarah-raven-acquires-brand-she-co-founded-in-a-pre-pack-deal/

It certainly wasn’t a thriving business, and it was weighed down with debt. She will have bought it back cheaply without the debt. How nice for the people owed money.