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- 2020 -27 MarchClothing & Shoes
Jack Wills permanently closes another 17 stores
British fashion brand Jack Wills – which was rescued out of administration by Frasers Group plc in August 2019 – has announced the immediate closure of a further 17 stores, bringing the total number of store closures announced over the last week to 22. Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group acquired Jack…
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23 MarchHigh Street
Laura Ashley slashes 721 roles as 70 stores shutter
Embattled retailer Laura Ashley has shuttered 70 of its stores leaving almost 721 people out of work, administrator PWC has said. The ‘Big Four’ accountancy firm said it will be working with those employees to help them understand “what this means for their roles” and provide all “necessary support” including…
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17 MarchClothing & Shoes
Laura Ashley enters administration as coronavirus claims first casualty
Embattled home and fashion retailer Laura Ashley has fallen into administration after it revealed that the coronavirus outbreak has had an “immediate and significant impact on trading”. The company revealed that, while trading had improved by 24% year-on-year for the seven weeks up to 13 March, as well as directors…
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13 MarchShopping Centres
Intu warns of its future amid £2bn loss
Shopping centre owner Intu has warned of its future if it cannot raise extra funds, after it reported a £2bn loss for the year ending 31 December 2019. In the update announcing the news, the owner of Intu Lakeside and Manchester’s Old Trafford centre, said there is “material uncertainty” in…
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2 MarchHigh Street
Brighthouse reportedly on brink of collapse
Rent-to-own retailer Brighthouse is reportedly on the brink of collapse, following an increase in customer compensation claims. Sky News said the retailer was forced to place ‘Big Four’ accountancy firm Grant Thornton on “standby” to handle a possible administration in the coming weeks, which would place almost 2,400 jobs at…
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2 MarchDepartment Stores
Debenhams denies lenders’ threat to hold up restructuring over rent cuts
Department store chain Debenhams has denied reports of it telling landlords that its lenders may not sign off a “critical debt restructuring” unless they agree to further rent cuts. Debenhams and its lenders agreed to swap £100m of debt for equity in April last year after it entered pre-pack administration,…
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Feb- 2020 -27 FebruaryHigh Street
British homeware brand Olivia’s saves Houseology from collapse
Luxury furniture and homeware brand, Olivia’s, has completed a deal to buy Houseology, which went into administration last month. Olivia’s, which is part of The Moot Group, acquired all IP and assets, including Houseology’s suppliers and stock, for an undisclosed amount. Olivia’s will continue to run Houseology as a standalone…
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25 FebruaryComment
The changing face of retail in the age of digitisation
Retail: the 2020 snapshot It’s no secret that high street retail in Britain has been struggling for the past decade. Since the collapse of Woolworths in 2009, it has been clear that something, somewhere, has been going very wrong on the Great British high street. In fact, currently it is…
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25 FebruaryShopping Centres
Hammerson profits sink to £534m in full year results
Retail landlord Hammerson has reported its losses have widened to a pre-tax loss of £537.8m in the year to 31 December, up from £173.3m in 2018. Hammerson reported an 11.2% decrease in rental income to £308.5m after it revealed that 6.7% of retailers were hit by administrations and restructuring. During…
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21 FebruaryHigh Street
Phillip Day’s Peacocks acquires Bonmarché
Embattled high street retailer Bonmarché has been sold to Peacocks, part of Phillip Day’s Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group (EWM). According to Drapers, Peacocks has acquired around 200 stores and is in talks with landlords or whether it can acquire the remaining sites. Bonmarché has a store count of around 270.…
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