What retailer do you think will go bust next?

[good96]

My money is on Poundstretcher. Went into my local one today. Shelves empty, looking old and dirty and prices aren’t really cheap for a discount retailer…

I doubt Argos will, as theyve merged with sainsburys, although they must've come close.

The 2 near me (1 big argos and 1 small one inside a sainsburys) always have 90% of the items i want in stock to collect there and then, even the most random items, so not having items in stock may be a regional issue?

The only times I've not been able to get something from argos is if it's an item they must be discontinuing to stock, or the item itself is being discontinued by the manufacturer and nowhere else has it either.

There are a couple of big Boots stores near me that are always busy...they have loads of makeup concessions and are probably cashing in on the decline of the department store.
I think it's a shame that some shops don't offer the same deals they do online, I've always thought that made no sense at all. I went to Homebase (funnily enough gone down the pan) to buy a light fitting that was 20%off online - it was full price in store! Sales assistant told me I would have to order it online if I wanted the discount and if I did click and collect it would be ready in a couple of hours to pick up...I was holding it
in my hand! I left it and went and got one elsewhere.
Surely it would be better for businesses to offer an in-store discount rather than an online only discount...assuming they want to keep any shops open.
Id be disappointed if Argos closed, I use it quite a bit.

It seems a lot of people on this thread just say a shop should close as they don't like it, without even looking at the companies profits.

Asda isn't going to go bust, neither is M&S in the short to medium term. A lot of companies mentioned have good profits m&s profits are up 41%. Asda is back to a pre tax profit of over 200 million.

I was in my local body shop today so you’re not correct about this

I can see Urban Outfitters going bust. I have no idea who buys the crap they are selling, its literally unwearable.

There are regional Coops which are loke franchises but there is still the main co-op, with the blue logo, which has hundreds of stores across uk. Who sell to the regional ones.

There are still Body Shop stores open. I was in one last week!

Cineworld went bankrupt in 2022, technically been trading insolvently since July 2023

They’re owned by Next now

Same with me. Walked past an open Body Shop this afternoon.

Ditto here it's the main po

No idea why Lush or Argos are suggested, they are usually packed and have queues inside. Lush is still good despite the ideology, there is no one else selling similar stuff. Argos is also good, handy way of shopping and inexpensive.

Agree with others re fat face, crew, white stuff and the other chains that discount extensively. Unfortunately, I suspect they are stuck in that cycle now as most customers know if the wait a couple of weeks, they can pay less, so aren't going to be keen to pay full price.

I think super dry and other once trendy brands that are now worn by middle age dads are at risk.

And I'd be sad to see it go, but Lakeland has closed a lot of stores in the last couple of years.

Oh, so that's OK then to want people to lose their jobs

You don't have to shop there.

Boots really do look shabby and down at heel.

Not all branches. The Meadowhall one has been recently refitted and is bright and new looking with full shelves.

I’m always amazed HMV keep going, given the shift to digital media consumption….

Something weird going on with Hotel Chocolat prior to Christmas - nowhere had the milk chocolate advent calendar (online and 4 shops closest to me). Supply issues like that mean something, I’m just not sure what.

Most of them because of Amazon.

Since Debenhams went our boots on the retail park is really busy. The range of goods and makeup expanded.

In my city The Works has the grand total of 3 different cookery books for sale over Xmas and all for air fryers. They don't have the books they used to. It's all craft stuff, tat and jigsaws.

WHS has set up Toys R Us instore and they have a Post Office and a large reduced section.

Boots has 2 floors. The upper floor sells reduced baby and toddler clothes and Christmas (unsure which one) reduced gift sets, a bit like BHS sold before they went bust.

Argos is in Sainsburys, I buy occasionally but there is never the queues you used to get in its heyday.

Zara has recently closed down.

I think M&S (or their buying team) have cottoned on to the gap in the market for the late 30’s - 40’s customer, especially those who like basics. There was an opportunity for someone to scoop up the generation who shopped at Topshop, Warehouse etc in their good days & need an affordable alternative to brands like Cos. Their denim range is pretty good, Edited & Autograph have some nice pieces. It’s the best on the high street for workwear at their price range.

If I can’t be bothered to wait, Dunelm have most things. It’s certainly where I would look first.

When I worked in retail HQ - W H Smiths was one of the most successful businesses due to their airport and train station locations. Even though most of their high street stores are shabby and sparse!

It’s weird, but it seems to work….. (for now)

I think WHSmiths will hang on in airports and stations but the town centre shops will close. The one is my town is always deserted and positively shabby.

Body Shop - does anyone shop there anymore. I haven't set foot in there in years....