To ask which shops are on the verge of failure

[curiousbeak]

I'm so depressed with the uk high street. Specifically British companies. The likes of Arcadia group, new look (already on its way out), next, oasis , Debenhams etc etc

The clothes are just terrible quality and most stores and staff and just tired, uninspiring and lacking any kind of chicness.

The wave of European brands seem to be killing our home grown business with their beautiful stores and chic offerings.

Who do you think is on the way out?

Waterstones is doing very, very well since James Daunt was out in charge. He has turned it around completely (it was in real danger a few years ago of going down the hmv route...)

@MiaowTheCat I get my knee high boots from Yours Clothing! They do amazing boots for large calves! www.yoursclothing.co.uk/search?q=Knee+high+boots

2 of my local Waterstones have the cafe W now, they have a more quirky independent feel. The decor makes costas look dark and uninviting in comparison. My DSs can be bribed with a trip shopping if we go into Waterstones. I buy birthday books in there, but still get 2nd hand ones via amazon and my DM trawls charity shops for second hand books, so all bases covered.

Steph on BBC1 yesterday morning was saying consumer spending is down across the board so retail outlets need to move with the times.

I still remember loving the shop Richards growing up and still have a velvet coat from there, that’s long gone but the coat comes out occasionally. I do think less items more quality is better long term, but the have it now folk need Primark etc.

nowater34 new Look. And I'm thirty. They have some lovely clothes for workwear.

I was in Claire's accessories yesterday and I asked staff there. They said only the USA shops are closing!

I miss Richards. They were fab. I had 2 long, knitted tube skirts that lasted years and saw me through a couple of pregnancies without losing shape.

C and A was great - used to go in there to try all the hats on.

they shipped out years ago , but you still find them in Europe and they do my size!
agree that Richards was also good.

It is sad when retailers close, but I suppose in life things do change. Make room for style changes.

My other favourite was Principles, I think they’re still a concession in Debenhams but completely off my radar.

I went in Claire’s during February half term. It was weird. All the stock was run down and mismatched and some of it very old fashioned, and it was all in 3 for 2. I got the feeling they had got loads of really old unshifted stock out to sell.

The works isn’t bad at all. Ten books for £10. It’s more accessible to your average joe than Waterstones which is undeniably middle class. Lots of meg and mog and large family books.

I hope Claire’s doesn’t go, my dd loves it. Where will pre-teens shop??

Primark- they seem to be upping their game with accessories etc. Claire's is a staggering rip off im amazed it's lasted this long

I only ever buy from Claire's when there's 40% off or BOGOF etc.
Even then, at 40% off, I still consider the tat item expensive.
DD loves it 😭

I feel sorry for the staff but Claire's deserves to go - it is way too expensive for the tat it sells. It should be priced at pocket money levels.

Does anyone else remember when Claire's was bow bangles ? Everyone looks and me gone out when I ask

it is way too expensive for the tat it sells. It should be priced at pocket money levels.

Somebody has to pay the rent.

Sticking a finger in the air, it's probably fair to say a small unit in a shopping centre could easily cost £2,000 a week with rent, rates, insurance, standing charges. That's before bills and wages.

Now divide that by the average price/item ...

The trouble with Claires is that everything is ridiculously priced, yet the only customers you ever see in there are under about 15, so either spending pocket money or parents are having to fork out. My dd loves it but I dread going in because I know she'll be disappointed and end up either spending more than she wanted to, or not actually being able to afford what she actually wants. Fluffy notebooks for £12?! I got one in the pound store the other day for £3! And the offers they have are cleverly disguised to make you spend even more money. The only place that beats it for rip off award is Smiggle, stupidly priced items that don't last 5 minutes.

I love the books offers in The Works, great for when you want some cheap, easy read books rather than certain authors.

I got one in the pound store the other day for £3!

Then it wasn't a pound store .....

Have you been in a pound store lately? There aren't many items in there any more that actually do cost £1!

On the plus side I did get a can of Fanta for 40p 😉

The only thing I buy from next is jeans as they fit me really well. Used to buy loads. Went shopping last week and everything was either adorned with ruffles all over the place or voluminous and totally shapeless. Iv'e. I just got down to a 12 and want to show off my new figure, not hide it under a tent like top! I do quite like Matalan, they do some 100% cotton t-shirts that are super soft and wash really well.

Anyone else miss Droopy & Brown? Only two shops, but they did wonderful long riding skirts. Way out of my price bracket though.

Have you been in a pound store lately?

Yup. They've stopped selling the one thing (Cotton Fresh incense sticks) I went in for. Just to add to the East German vibe.

Went in pound store today. As busy as ever

I don't care if Claire's closes. When my niece was born I thought I would be buying her bobbles, hairbands and stuff as I had short hair as a child and always craved pretties. Nope, being blond she didn't have hair for ages and now aged 7 hates her hair being brushed and doesn't like things in her hair. I was momentarily disappointed but I got over it quite quickly.