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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Feb- 2019 -11 FebruaryHigh Street
18,722 retail jobs lost or at risk since Christmas day
Some 18,722 retail staff, 400 every single day, have either been made redundant or have had their jobs threatened since Christmas day, according to new data from real estate data service Altus. Oddbins, Patisserie Valerie, Greenwoods, Chapelle, tReds and HMV have all entered administration, with the music and film retailer…
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8 FebruaryEconomy
61% of Brits worried high street will disappear in 10 years
Consumers are worried the high street is going to be lost completely due to the current store closures in the news, research by commercial brokers KIS Finance has revealed. A survey of 1,000 consumers in the UK, found 61% of Brits are worried the high street will disappear in the…
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6 FebruaryDepartment Stores
Warehouse supplying HoF to shut affecting 280 jobs
A warehouse which supplies deliveries to House of Fraser is set to close later this year, affecting some 280 job roles. Trade union Usdaw announced that the Wellingborough, Northampton site, operated by XPO Logistics will shut on 10 April. The union said the closure ended months of “uncertainty for staff”…
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4 FebruaryHigh Street
Mike Ashley acquires Sofa.com
Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley has acquired Sofa.com for a “nominal sum”, adding yet another business to his growing portfolio of high street retailers. According to a report by Sky News, the acquisition will enable Ashley to add further Sofa.com concessions to the House of Fraser (HoF) chain he bought…
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4 FebruaryEntertainment
Canadian record shop owner ‘enters race’ for HMV
Doug Putman, the owner of Canadian record store chain, Sunrise Records, is said to be interested in purchasing HMV. The retail boss would rival Sports Direct owner, Mike Ashley, who has already placed a bid for the entertainment retailer. HMV administrators KPMG refused to comment on Putman’s interest, which was…
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1 FebruaryHigh Street
Oddbins falls into administration
Off licence chain Oddbins has fallen into administration with parent company European Food Brokers (EFB) blaming the deterioration of the high street, Brexit and “economic uncertainty”. Duff & Phelps has been appointed to run the business and help it to find a buyer. Oddbins has 45 outlets across the UK…
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1 FebruaryHigh Street
ScS ends Sofa.com talks paving way for Mike Ashley
ScS has ended its interest in acquiring rival furniture retailer Sofa.com stating it is “no longer in discussions”, leaving Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley in prime position. Both Mike Ashley and ScS had expressed interest in acquiring Sofa.com. However ScS today (1 February) said in an update: “The group confirms…
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Jan- 2019 -30 JanuaryHigh Street
Mike Ashley and ScS in competition over Sofa.com
Both Mike Ashley and rival furniture retailer ScS have expressed interest in acquiring Sofa.com. ScS has confirmed via a statement its interest in Sofa.com which was put up for sale last month. It said: “The group confirms that ScS Group is in discussions regarding a potential acquisition of the business…
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29 JanuaryAnalysis
The UK’s high street woes
There are few sectors where the effects of the faltering UK economy have been more starkly visible than the retail sector. It seems that every day the media presents another story about a high street name facing financial difficulty. There are a multitude of factors playing into the softening consumer…
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23 JanuaryAdvice
How retailers can maximise profits and survive in 2019
It is no secret that the past year has been a challenging time for UK retail. Declining profits, closing shops and changing consumer behavior has contributed to the worst year in retail since the global recession a decade ago. Retailers such as Toys R Us, Maplin, New Look, Mothercare, and…
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