To be worried about House of Fraser

[Viviennemary]

Seems this is the next chain to be in trouble. And Debenhams hasn't been doing to well either lately according to the news tonight. I don't buy a great deal in either of these but would be really sad to see them go. Woolworths gone and then BHS. at the thought they might disappear

I would miss both of the stores cafe /restaurant. They are always a bit of a haven in the city for a quick coffee/cake and kid's meal. I only buy in the sales and Debenhams just for the odd dressing gown. Can't think of the last thing I bought from House of Frazer, possibly a Jeager coat in the sale.

I live in the middle nowhere, so even though I do shop ‘there’ it’s nearly always online.

Have never been in a House of Fraser (not sure why, just has never appealed!) and Debenhams seems to have gone rapidly down hill in the past few years. I agree with a PP that it looks like a jumble sale with dated stock that is pricier than other shops and isn't a nice shopping experience. I had a voucher for Christmas to spend and really struggled to find something to buy, mainly because I spent most of the time wanting to leave. It was also really quiet for the sales period after Christmas. I did actually comment to DH it was looking very similar to BHS.

Times are achanging I guess. Shops never seem to have the stock in store. I've lost count of the times I've been told "online only".

I don't mind HOF but why Debenhams haven't gone out of business ages ago is beyond me. Horrible store envt, shitty brands, dreadful cheap looking women's wear, ridiculously overpriced kids clothes. Soulless, awful stores. The obvious lack of investment from mgmt over years and years means this failure is deserved.

I really like House of Fraser but after a terrible online experience I'm put off by the whole thing now.
Have always hated Debenhams. The ones I know always look like they need a good clean.

Agree I've never been in a Debenhams that doesn't look grubby -even the big stores. Just that air of neglect about them..

I like my local House of Fraser. It stocks some brands not found in John Lewis and slightly more High End brands like Mulberry, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors etc. Marketing seems to be Key rather than what they sell, hope they can turn it around.

Retail is about profit and if HoF can’t maintain profit they’ll go under.thats how it goes
I’m not sentimental about it,if a retailer can’t get a profit,and generate interest they’ll food
I think it’s a worry for the employees,obv, as they’re directly affected

The thing that would really help customers in physical stores would be some way of tracking down the style ‘blah’ black trousers you saw online that looked like they might suit you, rather than having to mount an Indiana Jones-style quest to find them in-store. M&S is the worst for this, but the way other stores move the concessions around doesn’t help. A way to search location & stock levels woud be great. People are generally shopping in town because they want to try things on. If they can’t find them without ordering online, you start to wonder what is the point of the stores?

I don't care, it's all pricey, none of it is in-house, and the makeup brands that have stands there, I buy online anyway.

Cry me a river, another big brand is dying

Debenhams is a poor imitation of a department store to me. Too many 'own brand' pretend designers like John Rocha and Jasper Conran. Too many gift sets, the kids clothes are dated, and there are no younger brands.

Retail has changed,majority is online.physical retailer now need to change,evolve offer a quality experience
I predominately shop online.it easy,quick, I get sent not tried on items
I go in stores, it’s random if item I want is available, I have to hunt to locate it
Stores should develop the click&collect to a wider experience, more quality eating, an experience
And when I shop online I get samples. Ask in store and it’s a big huff, like they are doing you a favour
I spend a lot on cosmetics/fragrance I expect Samples and good service. It’s not guaranteed in store
I go into city centre to eat,browse,faff. Most stores are a bit dull they need to up their game

Our local Debenhams makes TK Maxx look like Harvey Nichs.

I'm not keen on HoF, especially after they bought Jenners in Edinburgh and made it rubbish.

Bravissimo seems to have it about right, though benefits from selling garments that more often than not need to be tried on. I went in last week to replace an existing bra. Neither colour I wanted was in stock in the store, but they ordered them (and I paid) on the spot & both were posted to me at home, one directly from the warehouse and the other from another store. I was content to wait for 2-3 days for free delivery.

Last time i went in a Debenhams it was like the father ted episode when theu got stuck in the lingerie section i honestly thought i would never find my way out.
I saw something i liked made the mistake of thinking i would circle back and pick it up never found it again gave up and left.

The USP of department stores is customer service. It used to be a nice experience shopping in one. Those days have gone.

Even finding someone to help with a purchase is a chore never mind hitting on a person who is knowledgeable or enthusiastic about what they are selling.

When engaging with Debenhams staff gives you the rage, you tend to not want to repeat the experience!

I got HoF vouchers for Christmas and hastily went into our nearest store today and spent them on some lovely skincare but I wouldn't ordinarily go into store or shop online with them because they seem so overpriced,

Well we can't have mass online shopping and expanding high streets. Both of these stores have expanded over recent years. HOF had profits up 70% last year. They are not on the point of collapse- they simply can not sustain their current position and profits. Need to cut some stores and re-position thenselves in the market, as do Debenhams.
Out of all the dept stores they are the two I never buy from. I find Debenhams piled with stuff no one wants and not well-organised. HOF is more expensive than John Lewis and the quality is not as good, and the staff not as pleasant. All a bit up itself.
John Lewis is streets ahead of both of them in every way. I think M and S would be in big trouble without the food dept and the basics many buy there- underwear, tights etc. Their fashion is dreadful.
Also, the high street is flooded with pile 'em high sell 'em cheap places like Primark. Many buyers are not interested in paying for quality that will last and prefer to pay for lower quality stuff that they can chuck and replace 6 months later.
I think we need to get used to town centres being very different places in the future. We have brought it on ourselves with online shopping and retail parks outside of towns.

Brought what on ourselves?this isn’t manmade drought and famine.its potential retail closure
And shopping habits & individuals have changed.when I was a kid you traipsed into town. It was random if the desired item was available. At times potentially frustrating
Now, one shops online,delivery to home,no random traipse to locate item
Shops need to change their purpose, up the game.be more a destination

I dont shop there as there aren't any in a comfortable distance.

Postage is expensive to order online.

Often postage is free. Otherwise it’s still cheaper than going to town, traipsing kids
Postage is less than Feeding them,checking they’re not lost/hungry/pawing merchandise

I agree that the stores need to improve their customer service as that’s their USP. However retail wages are so low now & staff numbers seem really reduced that I’m sure retention is a big problem.

A high street store can never compete with online in terms of width of offer as they don’t have the footfall.

It’s a shame as soon we will be left with just the Amazons of the world, the product might be cheaper when you add it to your basket but I think long term it costs more.

I love amazon. Love amazon prime convenience. I know it’s fashionable to pillory Amazon
But you know what amazon get the logistics & price right. I won’t pay more to a book store if I can buy from amazon

I do too lipstick but I’d love them more if they paid more taxes or their staff a better wage. It will be interesting to see what they do to their prices once they have the monopoly.