Administrators
This coverage explores the pivotal role of administrators in the UK retail landscape — from corporate restructuring and insolvency proceedings to business recovery and turnaround strategies. Retail Sector reports on high-profile administrations, creditor processes, and store closures affecting major retail brands, high streets, and shopping centres. Coverage also includes expert analysis of the financial, operational, and legal factors that lead to administration, as well as insights into how these events reshape competition, employment, and supply chains across the sector. Our editorial provides professionals with the context and intelligence needed to navigate financial distress and transformation within the retail market.
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Aug- 2023 -30 AugustHigh Street
Wilko bidder criticises PwC over bidding process
Restructuring specialist M2 Capital has reportedly criticised the administrators of Wilko after submitting a last-minute offer to rescue the retailer. According to The Financial Times, M2 wrote to PwC chair Bob Moritz earlier this week to criticise the bidding process and question whether it was “fair and transparent” after submitting…
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25 AugustHigh Street
HMV owner makes last-ditch bid for Wilko
Canadian businessman Doug Putman has reportedly made a last-ditch attempt to rescue parts of Wilko in a move that could save up to 4,000 jobs, The Times has reported. According to The Times, Putman, who purchased HMV in 2019, has held talks with Wilko’s management team and administrators from PwC…
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24 AugustHigh Street
Majority of Wilko stores to close ‘within weeks’
The majority of remaining Wilko stores are set to shutter “within weeks” and redundancies are expected to begin after the embattled retailer failed to secure a buyer, the GMB Union has warned. The union said it was recently informed by administrators that there was “no longer any prospect that the…
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8 AugustHigh Street
Gordon Brothers mulls potential Wilko rescue deal
The investment company, Gordon Brothers, which has backed high street retailer Laura Ashley, is in talks with Wilko’s advisers at PwC about structuring a potential deal, Sky News has learned. An offer could involve Gordon Brothers providing funding to the discount retailer to implement a restructuring that would involve “significant”…
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7 AugustHigh Street
Wilko in need of over £70m in potential rescue deal
The prospective buyers of Wilko, the discount home goods retailer that is facing permanent closure, will have to invest upwards of £70m to rescue the business, The Times has reported. This comes as PwC, which is advising the retailer, is reportedly in talks with other rival discount retailers and two…
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3 AugustHigh Street
Wilko set to appoint administrators
Budget household and garden retailer Wilko has announced that it has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators. The news comes as, earlier this year, the retailer was considering selling the company in a bid to secure its future. The retailer, which operates roughly 400 stores across the country…
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Jul- 2023 -27 JulyOnline & Digital
THG snaps up City A.M.
THG has announced the acquisition of London’s 18-year-old business newspaper, City A.M. The news comes after it was revealed that City AM was on the brink of administration and THG was reportedly in advanced talks with the newspaper to acquire it through a pre-pack administration. Matthew Moulding, THG chief executive…
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26 JulyFeatures
From Tesco to tiles: The eight largest mergers and acquisitions of 2023
This year has seen a large number of M&A deals in the retail industry. In fact, the number of UK retail merger and acquisition deals increased by 23% in the last year, a five year high, according to data from law firm RPC. With more and more retailers looking for…
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19 JulyClothing & Shoes
Hotter Shoes rescued through Woolovers deal
The future of footwear retailer Hotter Shoes has been secured following a sale of the business to Woolovers Group. Will Wright and Rick Harrison from Interpath Advisory were appointed joint administrators of Beaconsfield Footwear Limited, trading as ‘Hotter Shoes’, on 18 July 2023. Headquartered in Skelmersdale, the company is a…
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17 JulyClothing & Shoes
Hotter Shoes owner confirms intention to appoint administrators
Hotter Shoes owner, the Unbound Group, has confirmed its intention to appoint administrators to its main subsidiary after it was unable to raise £2m to support a restructuring plan. In an announcement, the group said it has concluded that it is required to take the “necessary steps” to preserve value…
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