Arcadia
This coverage examines the rise and collapse of the Arcadia Group and its impact on the UK retail landscape. Reporting focuses on the company’s store portfolio, brand management (including Topshop, Burton, Dorothy Perkins, Miss Selfridge and more), pivotal business decisions, administration process, and asset sales. Insight is tailored for retail executives, managers, and advisers seeking lessons in legacy brand management, crisis response, and evolving high‑street dynamics.
-
Jan- 2021 -29 JanuaryM&A
Boohoo confirms exclusive Arcadia talks
Just days after Boohoo confirmed the acquisition of Debenhams, the online retailer has announced it is in exclusive talks with Arcadia to purchase three of the collapsed group’s brands. In a short statement Boohoo said it was exclusive discussions with the administrators of Arcadia over the acquisition of the Dorothy…
Read More » -
27 JanuaryHigh Street
Arcadia collapsed owing creditors £750m
Philip Green’s retail empire, Arcadia, reportedly fell into administration while owing its creditors £750m. The debts, first reported by the Telegraph, largely comprised Topshop’s gross liabilities of over £550m, with Outfit also owing £80m. The figure, which is believed to exclude the group’s unsecured debt to HMRC surrounding its retirement…
Read More » -
27 JanuaryHigh Street
Paperchase rescued in pre-pack Permira deal
The majority of Paperchase stores are reportedly set to be rescued in a pre-pack deal that is poised to save around 1,000 jobs. According to Sky News, the rescue deal will be led by private equity giant Permira, with a deal expected to be agreed later today (27 January). Permira,…
Read More » -
26 JanuaryClothing & Shoes
JD Sports mulls £400m share placing
JD Sports Fashion is reportedly eyeing up an equity sale of around £400m as it “eyes further opportunities” to expand across the globe. According to Sky News, the group’s board is considering launching the placing as early as this week, with insiders stating that the amount will be “in the…
Read More » -
25 JanuaryM&A
Asos joins the Topshop race
Asos has emerged as a contender to acquire Topshop, just days after highstreet retailer Next was forced to pull out of the race. In an update to the London Stock Exchange, the digital fashion retailer confirmed that it was in “exclusive talks” with Arcadia administrators to purchase the Topshop, Topman,…
Read More » -
22 JanuaryAdvice
Don’t relapse into a brick-and-mortar mentality
Despite vaccines being rolled out and there being some semblance of light at the end of the tunnel, the situation for brick-and-mortar stores this year remains bleak. In-store retail continues to struggle and according to a recent report from The Centre for Retail Research, up to 200,000 in-store jobs could…
Read More » -
22 JanuaryM&A
Next pulls out of Arcadia race
Next has allegedly withdrawn from the race to acquire Arcadia Group, after the store was unable to meet the price tag for Topshop and Topman. According to The Times, Topshop, which is one of Acardia’s most coveted brands, was said to be valued between £250m and £300m – a sum…
Read More » -
20 JanuaryHigh Street
Arcadia to close 31 stores, 700 jobs lost
Arcadia, Sir Phillip Green’s retail empire, is set to close another 31 stores after going into administration in November, which will reportedly result in the loss of 700 jobs. The latest round of closures, which was first reported by The Times, will include the closure of all 21 of the…
Read More » -
18 JanuaryHigh Street
Next in the lead for Arcadia Group
High street retailer Next is allegedly the lead bidder in the race to buy Arcadia Group out of administration, The Sunday Times reports. Next, which is headed by Simon Wolfson, is said to be bidding for the group with US hedge fund Davidson Kempner. However, the pair face competition from…
Read More » -
6 JanuaryComment
How retailers can build a strong digital presence
Despite the announcement of a COVID vaccine last week, it’s clear that consumers’ shopping habits won’t be returning to ‘normal’ anytime soon. Even before the crisis, the high street had been fighting a losing battle against Amazon and the wider shift towards e-commerce. This has only accelerated as lockdown restrictions…
Read More »
