Mothercare £81m loss this year - because they crap perhaps?

[trixie123]

Apparently they are looking at some major restructuring. They are blaming it on the recession but AIBU to think that it might just have something to do with their appalling in-store and aftersales customer services as regularly attested to on here? Maybe they should come and have a read and then undertake some training / investment in those areas?

Would hate to see jobs cut at this time of year, but boy do they need to get their shit together.

I think it is because they are very expensive and there is far more competition these days with internet shopping rather than just heading to one store.

Their shops are chaotic and the whole brand image is tired and dated. Even the logo looks old. I haven't bought anything in there because I haven't felt inspired enough to walk through the front door.

I bought a medela breast pump from there. The box looked battered but it was last one on the shelf. When I got it home it had clearly been used! There was a post it stuck to the actual pump part with "faulty motor?" written on it. If I'd wanted a second hand breast pump I'd have got one from eBay. I wanted a new, sterile one. They refunded me, grudgingly, and have had no more custom from me.

They must have replaced their head buyer (who was a mate of mine years ago).
They used to be good. They used to have great stuff. I bought all my baby stuff from them when ds1 was born. He will be 10 in April, so this time, 10 years ago, I was planning what to buy for my first baby, and got EVERYTHING from Mothercare, except the mamas and papas cot and materess, that was JL.

Scaryhairydroopytits

The clothes are awful and expensive.

We also tried out our buggy there and then got it cheaper on line.

Our local store although it isn't that old it still feels dated.

They never have anything in stock and they are hugely overpriced. The staff are useless in my local branch.

While I agree the shop is poorly laid out (hardly enough room to move a buggy between the aisles) I don't think their customer service is poor. After getting my bugaboo pram from them (at a 45% discount of it's RRP - I researched it a lot and it was the cheapest), I complained about a problem with delivery and they gave it free. Never expected that!

Mothercare is doing much better overseas. They have a more upmarket image outside the UK.

Mamas and Papas is soo much nicer, and Mothercare is so overpriced that there isn't much difference in cost. Hope they have a massive overhaul and sort themselves out.

I'd love it if MNHQ bought Mothercare wouldn't it be amazing?