To ask which shops are on the verge of failure

[curiousbeak]

I'm so depressed with the uk high street. Specifically British companies. The likes of Arcadia group, new look (already on its way out), next, oasis , Debenhams etc etc

The clothes are just terrible quality and most stores and staff and just tired, uninspiring and lacking any kind of chicness.

The wave of European brands seem to be killing our home grown business with their beautiful stores and chic offerings.

Who do you think is on the way out?

[parrotonmyshoulder]

Surely the awful WHSmith that has been a horrible, dirty, overpriced and unhelpful mess for decades.

[lightlypoached]

Phase 8.

[OccasionalNachos]

Nearly everything I buy is from Oasis, I love it.

New Look’s issue is too much expansion. I still buy the occasional bit from there but I am ageing away from their target demographic! I still like a lot of their clothes but I am no longer 22 & thin

I have never liked Next...

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Anyone that isn’t lower end and doesn’t have a great website and sells online.

[Skatingfastonthinice]

I’m astounded WHS is still plodding on. Likewise all the other chain stores that haven’t evolved since the 70s. There’s so much choice on the net and working people have so little time, shops have to be more than just places you buy things.
Who’s next? Lots, but I think M&S will end up just selling food and bits, rather than th3ir increasingly shoddy clothing.

[Chocolatecake12]

Marks and Spencer’s have been struggling for years.
Agree with pp WHSmiths is overpriced and old fashioned. I cannot see it continuing.
Boots is never as busy as it used to be.
I think cheap shops such as Primark and Poundland style shops are to blame alongside online shopping.
We are a much more throw away society now, happy to buy cheap fashion rather than items that will last years. And I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like a bargain so we shop around for the cheapest way to buy things.

[IggyAce]

I too wondered how WH Smith keeps going, but several of our local stores now contain a post office and they are the only store of its type at many services, train stations and airports.

[eloisesparkle]

Primark doesn't do online and yet it's still doing well.
Why ?

[MedicinalGin]

I think Gap must be in trouble. There are only so many jeans and crap baggy tops a person needs. They are constantly selling off loads of stock at 70% off and their stores are always crammed with stuff. I agree with PP- if you aren’t cheap and you don’t have a fabulous website, you are doomed.
Weirdly though, H&M and Zara seem to be a bit exempt - can’t quite work this out. Personally, I find H&M still brilliant for basics that last and Zara just beautiful - edgier design and nicer looking stores.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

I think Primark does well because it’s so very cheap, lots and lots of choice, and fairly good quality.

[Minus2]

New Look is cheap and cheerful. Why is it failing?

[parrotonmyshoulder]

Yes, Boots is looking old and tired. Maybe just needs to be a pharmacy/ chemists again.

[IKillGiants]

Claire’s accessories
Dorothy Perkins
House of Fraser

[MedicinalGin]

I think primark make money from having absolutely rock bottom overheads concerning their stock and from people buying a few really cheap things that add up. I bought some kids stuff from there recently- nothing was above £5 but I ended up spending £30! I cannot fathom how they can smell embellished girls tops for £1.30. When you look at the stock though, there is always a huge selection of blousy, flowery, hole-filled, drapey viscose- surely they can’t sell it all? Where does it all end up?

[Mycatsarebetterthanyours]

Surely the awful WHSmith that has been a horrible, dirty, overpriced and unhelpful mess for decades

I couldn't agree more. Why are all branches so dirty anyway? Come to think if it, all New Look changing rooms are filthy too.

[curiousbeak]

Interesting comments. WHSmith for sure, its shops are always so grubby.

I've found my self searching for brands that are slightly higher price point due to my total despair of the high street but buying a lot less that I used to. This new way of shopping is making me feel inspired about my wardrobe again. I was so sick of spending £45 on a high st top for it to look terrible after 2 wears. Now spending £80 £100 on one that seemingly looks good forever. (John Smedley, Sézane FYI)

Supermarket clothing and primark will be the winners in this as people that want super fast trend for £2-£20 will be catered for and the quality is pretty similar to your mid market high street retailers (probably all made in the same factories).

This whole mid range of retailers need to be pretty worried I think.

[Fosterdog123]

Peacocks. It's no mans land.

[Skatingfastonthinice]

Claire’s won’t go bust whilst we have enough sparkly little princesses wanting lots of bling under a tenner. :)

[IKillGiants]

Claire’s are officially on the verge apparantly, has been in the press.

[IncidentalAnarchist]

WHS isn’t in trouble. Where it succeeds is because it seems to have some kind of monopoly at U.K. railway stations. I’m a regular traveller and by default have become a regular WHS shopper despite their stores being grubby and poorly staffed - simply no other option

[SisterFrancisBeaverhausen]

Mothercare have been doomed for years - ours has just had a massive refit but before that it was shabby, dirty, overcrowded and run by staff who didn’t appear to actually want to help or serve anyone. The only reason they have kept going is a lack of any decent alternative in a lot of places. Years ago the CIO came on here asking for options on where they could improve, you would think after such a discussion with their target audience they would actually listen and make some changes but they didn’t, it was such a waste of time

H&M and Primark are much better than Next or New Look for good quality basics - I haven’t been in Next for years - too much polyester! And their website is awful

[SleepFreeZone]

Mothercare announced a profit warning not to long ago so I suspect they’ll be closing stores soon.

[Zampa]

Claire's Accessories are on the troubled retailer list, according to today's press.

[SleepFreeZone]

And WHSmith makes a lot of money through their shops in train stations apparently.

[IKillGiants]

I think a lot of mid price range shops will be in trouble as they have cut quality so much in an effort to maximise profits. Next are a classic example......much thinner cotton used in their t-shirts, etc, even brands like White Stuff.

I’m not prepared to pay over the odds for poor quality shit. Not when Primark are a third of the price and same quality.