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AIBU?

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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:
JessicaJonesJacket · 19/07/2018 12:08

I was in one last week for the first time in ages and it was very busy. I'd only popped in because I'd been looking for a certain type of photo frame and nowhere else had it - not Amazon; John Lewis, etc.
I guess there may be a few items like that where people are shopping there because they have items that no-one else stocks.

keepingbees · 19/07/2018 12:13

My local one used to be busy, not so much now. I like their long vest tops but apart from that I find a lot of their styles quite frumpy. Sizing choice is rubbish, I've seen racks and racks of only one size available. Never have shoes in my size (I'm a common size) Quality is poor for the money, I've had to return a few things the last few times I've shopped there. I think the needing a membership card is an
outdated concept too. Another one local to me has a car park you have to pay to use even though it's not in the town centre and is the only shop there, so that puts me off using that one too.

LightAsTheBreeze · 19/07/2018 12:13

I remember years ago having to pay a pound I think to join Matalan and I had a little photo ID card, I guess they don’t do this anymore, it was almost exclusive Grin

NearlySchoolTimeAgain · 19/07/2018 12:14

Am sat here wearing a Matalan vest and PJ bottoms. Cheap and comfy!

Love a browse round their home section but rarely buy anything from women’s clothes except basics.

kikashi · 19/07/2018 12:15

Ours is empty and dreary in a warehouse/shed structure. I've only been mid week when the next door stores, Next and Argos are also empty. My DH loves some of their stuff - merino jumpers, lambswool jumpers which lasted far better than M&S ones and at fraction of the price. He always seems to be able to get stuff there (caps, T shirts, shirts) but I never buy anything for me. Have bought some plain pj's for son which were good. It does have a BHS feel about it. Our Matalan is on the outskirts of town in a cheap location and a cheap building so I suppose that keeps costs down. Apparently their website does well.

LightAsTheBreeze · 19/07/2018 12:16

Ooh do you still need a membership card

Lucisky · 19/07/2018 12:16

I couldn't live without their jeggings. They do thermal underwear that is as good as Damart but a fraction of the price.(I think I'm showing my age here!) Their home wares are attractive and their Christmas stuff is brilliant. Our local store is out of town, huge and always packed - long queues for the till. I love Matalan.

BubblesThaDragoon · 19/07/2018 12:18

Matalan jeans fit lovely !

Wellthisunexpected · 19/07/2018 12:18

Matalan are much cheaper than M&S and BHS and their stores are not as nice so cheaper to run.

Eminybob · 19/07/2018 12:19

I love Matalan for holiday stuff, especially the playsuits. Cheap enough that you don’t mind only wearing them when on holiday.
I also buy a lot of ds’s clothes from there. I didn’t know they did uniform, but he’s starting school in September so I will check it out.

scarbados · 19/07/2018 12:20

All 3 had town centre shops where I live before BHS went bust. We still have the other 2.

BHS was a lost cause for me when they became a collection of franchises for other clothing stores in the high street - if I wanted (for example) Evans, I'd go to Evans where they had a bigger selection to choose from. M&S have let their quality standards plummet so we now get asked the same level of pricing as when they used decent fabrics.

Our Matalan is lovely - light and airy store with good staff and always busy. It's become my first stop when I'm clthes-buying.

Original poster
JustGettingStarted · 19/07/2018 12:20

It's a good point that they avoid the high street rents.

OP posts:
GaryBarlowsTaxReturn · 19/07/2018 12:22

Their bikinis are great as is some of their home stuff. Plus they do good baby basics in plain colours. One near me is always busy.

ParkheadParadise · 19/07/2018 12:22

@LightAsTheBreeze
You can now download the app, instead of having a card.

RachelfromFriends · 19/07/2018 12:25

2008-2010 Matalan was great quality for a good price. I still have a coat from 2008 that when I put on I'm asked where's it from and was it very expensive Grin

After that what happened? Big price hike and the material went to shit

ClarkWGriswold · 19/07/2018 12:25

My MIL buys a lot of nice stuff for my DDs in there. Whenever I have been though I've never really found anything I like for myself.

eyycarumba · 19/07/2018 12:32

I haven't been in ages but I always really liked their home stuff. They are usually a bit dreary looking inside though.

Peachesandcream15 · 19/07/2018 12:34

They have upped their game on homeware. The kids stuff is ok. The women's is dreadful apart from nightwear and I got a nice enough cheap beach bag this summer. The queues for the tills are always big at my local one so they must be doing ok.

MrsJayy · 19/07/2018 12:35

I like Matalan it is great for holiday clothes our store isn't dreary at all ,i never understood the card thing though .

Italiangreyhound · 19/07/2018 12:35

I really like Matalan.

MadisonAvenue · 19/07/2018 12:37

I haven't been in a Matalan for years and years, last time I shopped there you had to have a membership card and show proof of your employment to get one.

WellTidy · 19/07/2018 12:38

I buy things from there only really at Christmas. Their Christmas duvet sets wer great this year, plus they did fleece Christmas blankets for a fiver. Absolute bargain. Some of their Christmas decorations are very nice too.

ToadOfSadness · 19/07/2018 12:38

I went in one a few years ago and it was like a jumble sale each time, never found anything to buy, items I had seen online were never in stock.

Recently went in one for something I had seen online which was nothing like the photos (pleased I didn't order it for delivery) and still found nothing I wanted.

I had the same problem with BHS and M&S though, apart from M&S knickers and they aren't that great.

I think the problem is online shopping, there is nothing to see in the shops any more, and if it is any good it is sold out quickly. I miss shops.

MrsJayy · 19/07/2018 12:39

It really has been years and years Madison

IamPickleRick · 19/07/2018 12:53

They had amazing Christmas boxes but they sold out everywhere before I got a chance to get them Sad

Got a brilliant colour in cardboard play house at Christmas for £12 that lasted for weeks. Their Christmas stuff really is great.