High Street chain collapse sweepstake

[thegeek]

Yup, they're toast.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-50309542

Blimey.
In amongst all this, I missed the news that Mothercare sold the Early Learning Centre to The Entertainer earier this year - which is good because their own brand toys are generally pretty good. I think I'll maybe keep an eye out for some discounted Little Bird stuff in the closing down sale though.

[thegeek]

Clintons looking a bit precarious:
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-50365605

[Whataday]

Yup, they're toast.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-50309542

Blimey.
In amongst all this, I missed the news that Mothercare sold the Early Learning Centre to The Entertainer earier this year - which is good because their own brand toys are generally pretty good. I think I'll maybe keep an eye out for some discounted Little Bird stuff in the closing down sale though.

I didn't realise they had such a large business overseas (which is unaffected).

[thegeek]

All is not well at Eddie Stobart
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.ft.com ... bacad9e7dd

Might be worth mentioning that the lorry business is separate from Stobart Group, who are in the air, rail and infrastructure business.

[JAS84]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-50094937

Buyer found. Peacocks.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-50584658

[sqwidge1978]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-50094937

Buyer found. Peacocks.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-50584658

How ethical is this, as Philip Day owned Bon Marchè via Spectre, and is the owner of Peacocks via EWM. Also Peacoks made a bid for Bonarchè earlier this year and it was turned down by Spectre, so now Peacocks/EWM will be able to buy at knock down price, and less debt.

[WillPS]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-50094937

Buyer found. Peacocks.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-50584658

How ethical is this, as Philip Day owned Bon Marchè via Spectre, and is the owner of Peacocks via EWM. Also Peacoks made a bid for Bonarchè earlier this year and it was turned down by Spectre, so now Peacocks/EWM will be able to buy at knock down price, and less debt.

I get what you're saying, but it all seems perfectly above board to me at least. If it was a pre-pack 'in and out' type deal, I'd be inclined to agree, but it has been a fairly elongated bidding process with plenty of chance for another bidder to undercut him.

[DJDave]

Called that move from day 1, having worked for Peacocks/Ewm before, I know how he works.

[WillPS]

Called that move from day 1, having worked for Peacocks/Ewm before, I know how he works.

Good or bad? Do tell...

[DJDave]

Called that move from day 1, having worked for Peacocks/Ewm before, I know how he works.

Good or bad? Do tell...

I worked for Peacocks for 12 years nearly and before EWM there was a real buzz about the place and at the time we had nicer stores then Primark did, then when EWM tookover they cut hours, pay and staff even though I enjoyed the job there was no loyalty from up top and the buzz had gone.

I know people will say well the old Peacocks was overspending which maybe true but when you are paying a supervisor and a store assistant manager 20p and 40p then your staff it's a bit of a slap in the face.

[WillPS]

Ah, just 'Mike Ashley lite' then. Kind of figures I guess.

Which Peacocks store was nicer than Primark by the way? The newer ones at the time (I'm thinking Sheffield The Moor which might have only been open a year in total as it closed after the administration) were fairly bland and there were plenty of suburban/country town ones with the purple logo which were knackered (and bland).

Perhaps I just never saw one of the more splendid examples. I know Primark have upped their game considerably in the time since then but I can't ever remember thinking the shops themselves were poor (just the people in them!).