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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Apr- 2020 -3 AprilCoronavirus
Debenhams readying to appoint administrators amid Covid-19
Department store chain Debenhams is reportedly set to enter administration for the second time in a year in order to protect the business from creditors during the coronavirus outbreak. According to Sky News, the embattled retailer could file for administration as early as next week, with ‘Big Four’ accountancy firm…
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1 AprilClothing & Shoes
Laura Ashley administrators axe 268 staff, 1669 furloughed
The joint administrators appointed to Laura Ashley revealed they have made 268 members of staff redundant and have furloughed a further 1669. Last week, Rob Lewis and Zelf Hussain of PwC were appointed as joint administrators of Laura Ashley Holdings plc and since then they have continued to trade the…
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Mar- 2020 -30 MarchCoronavirus
BrightHouse collapses, 2,400 jobs at risk
BrightHouse has collapsed into administration, placing 2,400 jobs “at serious risk”. The rent-to-own home furnishings brand has now called in Grant Thornton as administrators following a period of poor trading amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. According to the BBC, Julie Palmer, from corporate recovery business Begbies Traynor, said that the…
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28 MarchCoronavirus Featured Content
Brighthouse set to call in administrators
Rent-to-own home furnishings brand Brighthouse is reportedly set to call in administrators, placing around 2,400 jobs at risk. According to the BBC, it comes after an increase in compensation claims for selling to people who could not repay due to the coronavirus outbreak. Brighthouse is thought to be the largest…
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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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16 MarchHigh Street
Laura Ashley on the verge of collapse, reports reveal
Fashion retailer Laura Ashley could call in administrators by the end of March unless it receives a £15m funding lifeline from Hilco Capital, reports have revealed. According to Sky News, Hilco Capital is currently in “advanced” negotiations with the embattled retailer, but administrators could be put on standby in the…
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Feb- 2020 -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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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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