The Original Factory Shop
This coverage focuses on The Original Factory Shop (TOFS), a UK discount retailer offering branded products at reduced prices. Explore updates on store openings, closures, and strategic shifts within the company. Insights are tailored for retail professionals, brand managers, and business executives seeking to understand TOFS’s impact and trajectory in the UK retail sector.
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Jan- 2026 -6 JanuaryHigh Street
Claire’s and TOFS near administration, 2,500 jobs at risk
Accessories chain Claire’s and discount retailer The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) are reportedly close to entering administration, putting about 2,500 jobs at risk, according to Sky News. The two retailers are understood to be preparing to file notices of intention to appoint administrators shortly after the end of the key…
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Dec- 2025 -1 DecemberHigh Street
Modella eyes Wynsons takeover
Modella Capital is reportedly in advanced talks for a deal to acquire Wynsors World of Shoes, according to Sky News. A deal could be reached before the end of the year for the retailer which trades from approximately 50 standalone shops across the north of the country. The chain also…
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Sep- 2025 -18 SeptemberHigh Street
Modella Capital leads race to acquire Claire’s UK arm
Modella Capital is leading the race to acquire the UK arm of Clire’s, after reportedly agreeing the outline of a deal with Ames Watson, the new US-based owner of Claire’s, Sky News has reported. The London-based investor, which bought WH Smith’s high street business earlier this year, is said to…
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8 SeptemberHigh Street
Modella and Doug Putman vie for collapsed Claire’s UK stores
Modella Capital along with Doug Putman, the businessman who rescued HMV, are both reportedly bidding to take over Claire’s UK operations after the fashion accessories chain fell into administration, according to Sky News. Modella Capital, which this year agreed to buy WH Smith’s 480 UK high street stores and plans…
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May- 2025 -7 MayPeople Moves
TOFS appoints former commercial director Tim Bettley as MD
The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) has appointed experienced retail leader and its former commercial director Tim Bettley as its new managing director. Bettley was most recently commercial director at Poundland and Dealz, and before that operated in the same role at TOFS from 2015 and 2018, during which time the…
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6 MayHigh Street
WH Smith buyer faces year-long ban from mass store closures
The new owner of WH Smith’s high street chain has effectively been banned from enacting widespread store closures for at least 12 months following the acquisition of the chain in March. According to Sky News, WH Smith would have the right to cancel a year-long transitional services agreement (TSA) with…
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Apr- 2025 -25 AprilHigh Street
Hobbycraft set to close nine stores
Hobbycraft is set to close nine stores, a move affecting up to 126 jobs, as part of a restructure led by new owners Modella Capital, it confirmed to the BBC. The restructuring will also result in redundancies across its Bournemouth head office and distribution centre in Burton-on-Trent but it has…
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25 AprilHigh Street
TOFS places hundreds of jobs at risk under new revival plans
Nearly 1000 jobs at The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) reportedly could be at risk as the company embarks on a survival plan which hinges on widespread rent cuts, according to Sky News. Modella Capital, the new owner of TOFS, has reportedly drawn up plans to renegotiate rents at 88 of…
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22 AprilHigh Street
New Original Factory Shop owner eyes major rent cuts as part of CVA
The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) landlords could face a package of major rent cuts as its new owner aims to finalise plans for a CVA for the group, with potential store closure also featuring as part of the move. According to Sky News, Modella Capital is now preparing to unveil a…
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Mar- 2025 -27 MarchDIY
Lakeland becomes latest bid target for Modella Capital
Homewares retailer Lakeland has become the latest takeover target of retail investor firm Modella Capital, Sky News has revealed. The investment firm, which owns Hobbycraft and The Original Factory Shop, is among a small number of parties trying to acquire a controlling stake in Lakeland. According to retail industry sources,…
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