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 order Argos stuff click and collect. Then go to the store as do other customers. I do the same with Smyths toys. It's a handy feature for me.

Peacocks soon I reckon.

Argos was a lifesaver when we forgot to get a Christmas present for dp's niece at 6pm on Christmas Eve.

And judging by other people queuing it was the go to place to by bikes and scooters.

Same, and I do this for Dunelm and the Co-op too...and TK Maxx, The Works, `Next, Waterstones, M&S, lots of stores when I come to think about it..it's a great option and a real timesaver. I definitely don't see any signs of Argos being at risk near me.

haha yes, topshop/topman and DP/Burtons all went during Covid I think. Sad times. Yet Next still does OK ive no idea how.

I reckon Boots. Our local branch hasn't had a refit in the 25 years I've lived in the town; the shelves are half empty (sometimes worse. If you walk along the ends of the aisles the goods are only stacked 1 or 2 items deep); Tescos sells everything cheaper; you never see the same pharmacist twice; and you often have to wait for prescription items arrive as they don't have enough stock.
DSIS used to work for them as a pharmacy assistant but bailed about 18 months ago. She was continually being asked to work on days off or provide cover at other branches. Her primary job was filling prescriptions but ended up spending the majority of her time on the tills.

@GreyPapoose The Works frequently do "Close Out" sales which is sales for getting rid of a lot of stock so they can start with new products.
That isn't the same as a "Closing Down" sale.

Debenhams is gone from Ireland a good few years now do that wouldn’t surprise me.
I don’t think Boots will be going anywhere anytime soon

I don't want to name specific stores but I'm sure that a lot of well known high street retailers will close over the next few years. The shops and businesses are far less busy than they used to be. There have already been a lot of closures in the last 10 years or, especially since the pandemic and I can only see it worsening, sadly.

I find Next a lot better than those stores ever were. I can get Ariat, Bath and Body Works, Reiss...all sorts through Next. One of the best on the high street for kids clothes, their click and collect service is excellent. It's been a real life saver for us... good quality suit in the right size for a job interview delivered to store the next morning, gorgeous Ted Baker Layette delivered in hours when baby nephew turned out to be baby niece, school trousers for long skinny drainpipe of a child easily picked up after school immediately after they grew legs and walked at school. Plus their work wear works really well for me.

@justasking111 I do click and collect for Argos, The Works and Waterstones all the time. Smyths I've done it a couple of times and I did C+C for some pyjamas at Asda at Christmas.
Basically any shop that does Click and Collect is the way to go. That method seems to be working.
The Works home delivery is always good too.
I think more retailers need to look at the click and collect system.

Also LK Bennett. I know they were struggling a few years ago. Fewer people getting married, more wfh, so less demand for formal business wear and wedding outfits. High heels dont seem to be in fashion so much anymore.

Someone mentioned Argos. The Argos in my town moved from the standalone store into our local Sainsbury’s supermarket.

It’s sad to see the decline of the high street.

Emma Bridgewater are definitely struggling. Ever seen so many sales and I used to be a hardcore fan. Refreshing the website on launch date of a new pattern etc. Now it really doesn't interest me at all.

My small town in north Wales those shops are doing very well.

And these are the same people who complain that the high street is shit.

What an awful gloaty thread op. Woooohoooo! Let's see who goes bust next! 🤣 Let's laugh at their stock. All those people losing their jobs. But hey ho. Such an entertaining speculative thread.

I couldn't agree more @sandrapinchedmysandwich

They recently shut my local one which was a surprise as where else can an octogenarian buy a beige coat on the high street?

You are such a rude know it all @CosySwan?

I am neither an octogenarian, beige doesn't suit me, nor am I a Bon Marche shopper, but every rude and disparaging remark you make says so much that unpleasant about you.

Places that should go due to being very overpriced: Boots, WHSmith, Dunelm

You don't have to shop there @JaneAustensHeroine

No retailer should go

@70isaLimitNotaTarget I am also happy to pay extra for someone to fit a lightbulb or windscreen wipers.

@MrsPeregrine Waterstones are doing rather well.

Agree. I’m amazed it’s lasted this long. The clothes have always been absolutely shocking quality. Worse quality than primark for more money.

A family member bought an emergency pair of shoes from there for a job interview at short notice once and carried on wearing them for a couple of weeks, by which time the sole had developed a massive hole and completely detached - from normal wear! 🤣

River Island.

Joules is awful now. I used to get loads from them but their designs since being taken over are so dour and depressing.

I used to get loads from white stuff and that's now gone down hill, while the prices have rocketed.

I love seasalt, the clothes are so well made.

Debenhams was always packed in my nearest city so I was surprised when it closed. I guess it must have been high business rates and competition with online retailers that make it increasingly difficult for some shops to keep going.

A quick trip to the Companies House register says Timpsons are fine.

In fact, a quick trip to the Companies House register gives a much better, fact based, idea for predictions for all the above mentioned companies, one way or another.

Surprised to see so many suggesting Argos/Boots. Other than grocery stores, they are my most used retail shops- I must spend around £200 in them alone each month.

I’m always in Argos but order online beforehand. Incredibly useful for last minute gifts/furniture/electronics where I don’t have time to wait for delivery.

Pretty much get all our family’s toiletries click and collect from boots as they have much better skin and hair care range than Superdrug so can find niche products. Also get all my makeup and beauty products from Boots but save buying those for when I’m in town to browse.

Must really depend on the area you live in. But the busyness of the store is not always an indication of its high street success these days given that lots of stores do click and collect.

Yet we have a newly opened store. (Within the last three months).

Smiggle. I don't think I've ever seen anyone in there and I feel sorry for the solitary staff member sitting there all day

I agree, the quality isn’t there either. But I hate that they are forever changing patterns. Some changes for the seasons is great. But need time to buy a set.
I also love C+C on Asda especially if I delay my collection and receive extra Asda rewards.

It was the life and soul of our town, and the neighbouring town. Both the main store that the shopping centres were built around. When it went, the majority of the neighbouring units went too. And both of those shopping centres and the high street in general have never recovered. It's been dire since.

Peacocks still on the high street and need commending for that. M and Co went didnt they?

New Look went into supermarkets?

I hate the changing face of the high street.