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- 2019 -9 AprilDepartment Stores
Debenhams enters pre-pack administration
Debenhams has entered pre-pack administration and gone into the control of its lenders following the department store’s rejection of Sports Direct’s offer to underwrite £150m equity issuance. The pre-pack administration will see all of the company’s shareholders – including Sports Direct which has a 30% stake – wiped out and…
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5 AprilClothing & Shoes
JD Sports acquires Pretty Green from administration
Liam Gallagher’s Pretty Green, the boutique men’s clothing brand, has been acquired by JD Sports out of administration. The sale includes the business, brand, online and wholesale business as well as a flagship store in Manchester, securing the future of 67 employees. The remaining 11 stores and 33 House of…
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Mar- 2019 -29 MarchClothing & Shoes
Select calls in admins, 2,000 jobs at risk
Fashion retailer Select is preparing to call in administrators, putting 2,000 jobs at risk, it has been revealed. According to Retail Week, Select filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator to the high court on Wednesday. Quantuma, the advisory firm, has been lined up to handle the administration…
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27 MarchM&A
Boohoo acquires online retailer MissPap
Online fashion retailer Boohoo group, has acquired the brand and intellectual property assets of women’s pureplay fashion brand MissPap for an undisclosed sum. MissPap, which was founded in 2015 in the north west of England and has amassed strong online presence with over 1 million Instagram followers, will join Boohoo’s…
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25 MarchClothing & Shoes
Pretty Green set to appoint administrators this week
Fashion brand, Pretty Green is set to draft in administrators this week after it filed a notice of intention to appoint Moorfields Advisory to handle an insolvency protest. The brand, owned by Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, called in advisors from the accountancy firm last month after sources told Drapers the…
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19 MarchAdvice
Hard times on the high street
The widespread impact of digital is a daily reality, but few cases have been so apparent to the everyday consumer than the disruption of retail. This trend has contributed to familiar retail names like Toys R Us, BHS and HMV falling into the hands of administrators, at risk of joining…
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7 MarchClothing & Shoes
LK Bennett enters administration
High-end fashion retailer, LK Bennett has announced it has entered administration. The retailer had lined up administrators EY to undertake the process earlier this week, and earlier today (7 March) LK Bennett’s website announced it was no longer accepting customer orders. The company, founded by Linda Bennett, in 1990, has…
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4 MarchClothing & Shoes
Former Debenhams and John Lewis director to launch own brand
Jo Hooper, a former womenswear director at John Lewis and Debenhams is set to launch her own clothing brand. Named Nrby, the new brand will launch with a pop-up store in London’s Belgravia area according to reports by Drapers with a website said to be launched later this week. Nrby’s…
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Feb- 2019 -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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