Administration
This coverage explores retail administrations and insolvencies within the UK market, examining the circumstances, decisions, and consequences for businesses, employees, and creditors. Reporting highlights notable cases, restructuring efforts, store closures, and leadership actions aimed at recovery or winding down. Designed for executives and managers, it offers insights into risk, resilience, and lessons from commercial failures.
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Mar- 2023 -20 MarchAnalysis
Private equity is changing supermarkets
After being dethroned as one of the Big Four supermarkets by Aldi in late 2022, Morrison’s most recent blow came in the shape of £1.5bn worth of losses one year after being acquired by Clayton, Dubilier and Rice (CD&R) in October 2021 for £7bn with a debt-led takeover. Morrisons, which…
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7 MarchOnline & Digital
In The Style offloads business for £1.2m to avoid administration
Online fashion retailer In The Style has agreed to sell the business for just £1.2m as a way to avoid administration. In The Style Fashion Limited, which was valued at £105m in 2021, will be acquired by private equity investor Baaj Capital. Founder and CEO Adam Frisby will take a…
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6 MarchDepartment Stores
WHSmith to target stationary market with new Curi.o.city stores
WH Smith has reportedly revealed plans to open a souvenir and stationery store called Curi.o.city as it looks to fill the void left by the collapsed paperchase, according to The Times. According to the report, WH Smith will open standalone shops, one under the new fascia in Gatwick airport’s south…
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Feb- 2023 -22 FebruaryFeatures
Could stationery retailers be facing a future in concessions?
Stationery retailers have not had a brilliant start to the year, as shown by a succession of less-than-stellar financial results from big players in this corner of the market, such as Ryman and WHSmith. For starters, Ryman reported a loss of £8.5m in earnings for the first time in 25…
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22 FebruaryHigh Street
Paperchase to shut all stores after failure to find buyer
Paperchase’s remaining 106 stores will be closing, The Times has reported, after its administrators failed to find a buyer for the retailer’s remaining assets. The news of the closures, which will result in 900 redundancies, comes as Tesco purchased the stationery retailer’s brand and IP out of administration earlier this…
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20 FebruaryNews
Nearly 15,000 retail jobs lost in 2023
Nearly 15,000 retail jobs have been lost since the start of the year, according to new data from the Centre for Retail Research. It found that 14,874 jobs have been lost as a result of either administration or cost cutting because of the cost of living crisis. Over 11,000 jobs…
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17 FebruaryClothing & Shoes
Cath Kidston owner explores sale of business
The owner of the Cath Kidston is reportedly exploring a sale of the business only eight months after buying it. According to Sky News, owner Hilco Capital has been approached by a “number” of potential buyers who are interested in acquiring the modern vintage brand. Sources told Sky that Hilco…
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14 FebruaryDIY
Former Topps Tiles CEO acquires Tile Giant out of administration
Specialist retailer Tile Giant has been sold out of administration to two separate companies; Stiled Holdings and CTD Tiles. Interpath Advisory were named as administrators on 13 February 2023 and instantly sold the business to the two parties. Stiled Holdings, which is lead by the former Topps Tiles CEO Matt…
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13 FebruaryHigh Street
Paperchase unsecured creditors left with £20m bill
Paperchase’s unsecured creditors have been stuck with a £20m bill from its period in administration, according to The Times, after the company collapsed for the second time. The stationary retailer’s creditors have been notified that they will be receiving dividends of 2.52% from the sale of assets that has been…
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1 FebruarySupermarkets
Tesco acquires Paperchase IP in pre-pack deal
Tesco has acquired the intellectual property and brand of embattled stationery retailer Paperchase for an undisclosed sum in a pre-pack deal. The brand’s 106 stores are not part of the deal leaving the future of its 820 members of staff in doubt. The news comes less than a year after…
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