Restructuring
Restructuring in the UK retail sector involves the strategic changes retailers make to strengthen their financial position, streamline operations, and adapt to evolving market conditions. Retail Sector provides comprehensive coverage of restructuring activity, including breaking news on administrations, CVAs, and refinancing deals, alongside expert analysis of the operational and strategic implications. Our reporting helps retail executives, store owners, ecommerce leaders, and supply chain professionals understand how these developments impact the wider retail landscape, offering insights into recovery plans, leadership decisions, and business transformation across physical and digital channels.
-
Nov- 2018 -1 NovemberEconomy
600 jobs at risk as Crawshaws enters administration
Meat retailer Crawshaws has announced it has entered administration, putting 600 jobs at risk across its 42 stores. A Crawshaws spokesperson told Retail Sector that the company blamed its financial woes on “increasing competitor pressures on the high street”, namely “discount activity from the likes of Aldi and Lidl”. According…
Read More » -
1 NovemberDIY
Carpetright announces HY trading to be ‘heavily impacted’ by restructuring
Carpetright has said trading in its half-year update for the 26-week period ending 27 October was “heavily impacted” by the company’s restructuring which included 67 store closures. It said like-for-like performance remained negative in this second part of the period however “there was an improvement in the trend, as the…
Read More » -
Oct- 2018 -22 OctoberDepartment Stores
Debenhams ‘could close a third of its stores’
It is rumoured Debenhams could be closing up to a third of its stores following a series of profit warnings and poor trading results. The embattled department store has 166 outlets across the UK and is reportedly looking to save £100m. The Sunday Telegraph reported that the chain would save…
Read More » -
11 OctoberHigh Street
WH Smith to close six stores as result of ‘business review’
WH Smith has announced it will close six stores as it looks to “restructure” its high street business, including operational activities and winding down “non-core trial initiatives” including Cardmarket and WH Smith. Despite restructuring plans WH Smith said its high street arm had delivered a “good performance despite the well…
Read More » -
5 OctoberAnalysis
Innovation in retail: who’s your money on?
No business is immune from the potentially fatal consequences of relying on ‘business as usual’. The recent fates of household brands like Maplin and Toys R Us tell us that. It is true in any industry, but none more so than in retail. Is your business looking in the right…
Read More » -
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…
Read More » -
2 OctoberDepartment Stores
Debenhams merchandising director leaves amid trouble with insurers
Debenhams merchandising director Adele Calderwood has reportedly stepped down following yesterday’s news that the company’s insurers had pulled out. Calderwood, who joined the company from Arcadia in 2004 and worked for the retailer for 14 years, will now depart according to reports by Drapers. Debenhams told Retail Sector it had…
Read More » -
1 OctoberDepartment Stores
Debenhams under more pressure as insurers withdraw cover
Department store Debenhams could be facing more problems as its leading insurance provider Atradius has pulled its cover for the retailer’s suppliers. The news indicates there are fears regarding the department store’s future amid speculation that it could face closures or enter a CVA after appointing KPMG to help advise…
Read More » -
Sep- 2018 -13 SeptemberAnalysis
How Wesfarmers’ takeover strategy almost sent Homebase ‘down under’
There are few home comforts for Homebase right now. The DIY chain confirmed on August 31 that it will close a further 42 stores later this year, resulting in 1,500 job losses. The home improvement and garden retailer has already shut 16 stores this year, following its acquisition by restructuring…
Read More » -
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…
Read More »
