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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Oct- 2018 -4 OctoberAdvice
What is an administration pre-pack, and how might it affect retail suppliers?
2018 has been a difficult year for retailers: East, Maplin, New Look, Carpetright, Carphone Warehouse, Poundworld, Mothercare, Toys ‘R’ Us, House of Fraser, and Homebase have all stumbled to varying degrees. For House of Fraser, Mike Ashley (via his SportsDirect group) arrived as a ‘white knight’, using an administration pre-pack…
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2 OctoberDepartment Stores
Sports Direct ousts entire House of Fraser management team
Sports Direct has announced it has dismissed the entire management and executive team of House of Fraser following the department store’s collapse and subsequent takeover by Mike Ashley. In a short statement released to the London Stock Exchange, the company said this was due to “calls for an investigation” regarding…
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Sep- 2018 -21 SeptemberGovernment
Dominic Chappell loses appeal against BHS conviction
Dominic Chappell, the former director and majority shareholder of the company that bought BHS, has lost his appeal against his conviction and sentence for failing to hand over information to The Pensions Regulator (TPR). In January, Chappell was convicted at Brighton Magistrates’ Court by District Judge William Ashworth of three…
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19 SeptemberHigh Street
Orla Kiely ceases trading as parent company enters administration
Eponymous handbag and homeware retailer Orla Kiely has ceased trading as of Monday 17 September 2018. Its parent company Kiely Rowan has entered into administration and the group’s retail stores in London and Kildare and its online business have now been closed. However its home and design licensing business will…
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18 SeptemberHigh Street
Former BHS owner warned not to ‘rewrite history’ in court
Dominic Chappell, the former owner of collapsed retailer BHS, has been warned against making a “cynical attempt to rewrite history” in an appeal hearing against his conviction earlier this year. In January, Chappell was found guilty of three charges of neglecting or refusing to provide information and documents, without a…
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17 SeptemberDepartment Stores
Sports Direct denies Mike Ashley will block Debenhams’ Magasin du Nord sale
Sports Direct has denied the claims which emerged over the weekend that Mike Ashley will attempt to block a sale of Debenhams’ Magasin du Nord business. Reports had suggested the Sports Direct boss could block Debenhams attempt to raise cash through the £250m deal, in order to buy the store…
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10 SeptemberDepartment Stores
CVA and closure rumours loom as Debenhams appoints KPMG
Debenhams has reportedly appointed audit advisors KPMG to explore restructuring plans, prompting rumours of stores closures and a CVA. The Sunday Telegraph reported that the advisory firm had been assigned to draw up a turnaround plan which could result in a number of job cuts. The department store chain recently…
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5 SeptemberClothing & Shoes
Quiz to take £400,000 hit from House of Fraser collapse
House of Fraser is expected to receive a £400,000 cash injection from fashion retailer Quiz. Ahead of its AGM the retailer, which has concessions in the department store, said it would provide the money in relation to “outstanding debtor balances and other potential costs”. Quiz will provide a trading update…
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Aug- 2018 -31 AugustOnline & Digital
The Cotswold Company appoints former HMV CEO as chairman
True, European retail and consumer sector specialist investor, has appointed Ian Topping as chairman of online furniture retailer, The Cotswold Company. Topping will work alongside the management team in driving the strategy and continued growth of the business. Topping will be resigning from his current role as chief executive at…
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31 AugustDIY
Homebase ‘very likely’ to enter administration if CVA isn’t passed
The future of Homebase is to be decided today as creditors vote on a CVA which would see the closure of 42 stores. Hilco Capital, the DIY retailer’s owner said that the company was “very likely” to enter administration if the CVA is not passed. Some Homebase landlords plan to…
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