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…

Amazon isn't generally cheaper for stuff like that, it's convenient if you have Prime as we have but not cheaper.

@MrsPeregrine Waterstones must be doing something right as they are opening more stores.
Bigger branches will do author signings/readings etc.
HMV also sometimes have local bands doing a mini gig on a weekends.
You can't get that from Amazon.

I quite like Waterstones - much prefer to browse for books, read the blurb etc. The book might be a few £ cheaper on Amazon but if you don’t have Prime you’re paying that few £ for delivery, anyway. Their staff are usually pretty knowledgeable and friendly. My local store is new and nicely done up and laid out. Shopping on Amazon for me is a necessity, it’s not enjoyable. Amazon is “ I need an extension cable, what’s cheapest,” I buy a new book as a treat and like the experience of browsing. Also Amazon isn’t even that cheap anymore

@MidnightPatrol it was Body Shop Online that closed. The stores were saved.

I love Argos, really handy and I prefer buying there to Amazon who seem to have got much more expensive for “known” branded goods. I also like Boots but the ones round my way are generally large, tidy and stock what I want. I’ve read a lot of complaints on here about the website but I’ve always found it fine and have had lots of good offers on the things I’ve been looking for.

Zara’s parent company also own Bershka and Pull & Bear, I doubt they are going anywhere.

M&S and Next used to be rivals as the biggest clothes retail in the UK. Not sure who the winner is at the moment but would be v surprised if is not one or the other.

Urban Outfitters is baby Anthropologie, always mobbed in my city. We also have 2 Hotel Chocolats but I assume the one that opened first will be closed when its lease comes to an end.

Some shops are really looking to sell much via their physical store, it’s just a window to see their products which the bulk of the sales taking place online.

Thornton's don't have any shops any more. They sell through the outlets.

Sadly, I agree about John Lewis. Every time I go in there (other than in December) I’m surprised it’s still open and wonder how long it’s going to last.

I agree about Argos - at least, I can see the stand-alone Argos stores closing down. The one in my high street looks like it is pretty much deserted most days. The Argos concessions within Sainsbury's (who now owns Argos) will probably endure for a while longer.

Unpopular opinion but I miss the Argos catalogue.

I hope so. I'm glad they've diversified, I think Amazon might have driven them under otherwise. They're such a British institution, like Woollies used to be, I'd be sad if they went.

I agree about Fenwick's in Newcastle. It seems like a big outlet site now, nearly all the foorspace rented out.Not a patch on what it once was.

Boden

WHSmith

I walked past Kiehls the other day and thought how I'd never seen anyone shopping in there, ever. It's very expensive but I'm sure very nice - but times are hard.

I miss the Argos catalogue too. Many a happy childhood night planning my future home haha.

We were in M&S queueing around that time {Christmas} and a solid woman aged about 50 actually hit a slim young mother who had a child with her in the food queues {The aisles were all manned back then}.

The large woman was repeatedly punching the young woman, who turned and gave the older woman a warning.

The larger woman hit the younger one a third time..

Slim raised her hand and delivered a clap to the cheek of the large woman who actually roared- vast open mouth- while her eyes span in different directions

Slim ushered her child out while Large began to swing a bags of shopping around her head like Bolas and let it go, hitting slim on the way out.

Maybe slim had taken the last Christmas trifle, who knows!

We thought there would be a full on smackdown in the aisles.

Maybe M&S laid it on as 'entertainment'

Security guards looked on and did nothing.

So unlike what one would expect in M&S.

From what you say, this sort of thing wasn't unusual back then?

Maybe but I will still buy books in a proper bookshop, Amazon make enough money.

Home Bargains

Didn’t that already happen?

Matalan.

I went to an M&S consumer testing session at their head office with other Mumsnetters. Perhaps 10 years ago? Great day! M&S were firmly told natural fibres! But I think it might have been the only session ever run!!

Hope not 🤞
I get my mot done there and it's cheaper than 3 other garages in the area I have tried.

Absolutely, I can see no reason for it to exist anymore. The one in my area almost never has anything I need in stock and the place is always deserted.