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Original poster

To wonder how Matalan are still in business?

81 replies

JustGettingStarted · 19/07/2018 10:51

I have gone in to a few of them and they're always sort of empty and dreary, with rather grim clothing. I suppose they're OK, but how is it that BHS went under and M&S are in trouble, when Matalan is no nicer?

OP posts:
blackbirdbluebottle · 19/07/2018 10:56

I quite like Matalan, I would hate for it to go bust :(

Butterflykissess · 19/07/2018 10:58

I wonder aswell. Dont know anyone who shops there!

Springersrock · 19/07/2018 11:04

I quite like Matalan

Our local one has just had a refit and looks lovely

CoughLaughFart · 19/07/2018 11:08

Matalan tens to have out of town retail park stores, which are generally cheaper. BHS in particular had a lot of big stores in smaller, declining high streets and were committed to long-term rents on them. Also, I’ve not been to Matalan in a long time, but I know they always used to buy a lot of surplus branded stock cheaply.

Sallystyle · 19/07/2018 11:09

Ours is always really busy.

I like Matalan, got some nice shirts from there a few weeks ago.

RavenLG · 19/07/2018 11:11

I used to like Matalan but their plus size options seems to have gone right down. And they’re really boring now. Mind you this is just their website as I hate shopping in general.

mumpatrol · 19/07/2018 11:13

Shock don't say that OP! My favourite sandals are Matalan!

Mousefunky · 19/07/2018 11:40

Their school uniform is great.

LoisWilkerson1 · 19/07/2018 11:43

I like their homewear, its cheap but really nice. Their baby and toddler clothes are nice too. Not so keen on ladieswear as its all cheap fabrics.

haverhill · 19/07/2018 11:43

Cheap and fairly decent kid’s clothes, especially uniform. They have some nice things for the home. The occasional nice thing for me, although they do lean towards very cheap fabrics.

CatLadyToddlerMother · 19/07/2018 11:43

I love matalan, their sizes seem a lot more generous than other brands, they wash well and last ages particularly their kids clothes. The ones near me are always packed.

JJS888 · 19/07/2018 11:46

Both BHS and Matalan are massive in the Middle East! I love them both for sleeveless work tops which I wear under designer suits.

Bluelady · 19/07/2018 11:49

Another Matalan lover here. You have to pick and choose but I've bought some great clothes and homeware from them.

Thesearmsofmine · 19/07/2018 11:49

I don’t like Mataram either apart from the odd home item. The childrens clothes are a bit meh and the womens clothes don’t fit me well not do the shoes.

DianaPrincessOfThemyscira · 19/07/2018 11:50

Well, that’s just your opinion of course. The ones near me are the polar opposite of grim and dreary and my closest one has just been refurbed.

When I think of BHS and M&S I think of grumpy old lady clothing and beige carpets. So I guess we both have generalises ideas of different shops!

dingdongdigeridoo · 19/07/2018 11:52

It’s baffling. There’s a massive one on our local retail park that’s always quiet, even at weekends. You only really see people shopping in the home section and buying cheap towels. The clothing bits are usually empty.

IamPickleRick · 19/07/2018 11:53

Matalan is great for kids stuff. Adult stuff hit and miss but I would seriously miss it for the home ware as well!

The thing is that here, it’s a destination because you have to drive all the way there. You can’t just pop there on your way to somewhere else.

3stonedown · 19/07/2018 11:54

My local one is usually quite busy. I used to love it when I was a size 20 as it was easy to find stuff that was cheap and fits me. I don't bother so much now as I can get better quality for cheaper but still buy a lot of nursery clothes for DD

TheLastNigel · 19/07/2018 11:55

I quite like the home stuff they do

Birdsgottafly · 19/07/2018 12:00

Our one's are far from grim. I have been to other Cities and theirs wasn't as nice.

I like their Christmas range.

My GC get stuff from there. They are often good if you need formal Child's clothing and don't want to pay a lot.

Around three years ago, I got some really good Holiday Stuff. This year my DD got copies of stuff that River Island/New Look were doing, but they were £3-5 cheaper.

We tend to do C&C.

BHS lost their way, which was a shame, for the consumer as well as the Workforce.

ginandnappies · 19/07/2018 12:00

My local one is massive and is always mobbed. It's handy for plain vests for holidays and I quite like the home section.

chillpizza · 19/07/2018 12:01

I buy my leggings and jeans there not much else but it seems popular. It’s not in the town centre so rent isn’t as much. Free click and collect.

ParkheadParadise · 19/07/2018 12:02

Matalan is great for kids stuff. Also like their bedding which never needs ironed 😀

IrmaFayLear · 19/07/2018 12:04

I had a few nice things from there, including a wrap dress which I wore to death .

But I've noticed lately how "simply" made the clothes are: lots of Bardot tops, drapey things, elasticated stuff - all of which have no zips, buttons, proper waist bands or sleeves. Of course this reduces the price, but it's one thing to be cheap, and another to look cheap.

likeacrow · 19/07/2018 12:05

Matalan has quite cute baby/kids clothes. Cheap too.