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Original poster

What’s going on at LK Bennett?

41 replies

Fresta · 03/08/2018 13:11

Just tried to get on their website and it says they are not taking any orders at present time- can’t even seem to browse the sight! ???

OP posts:
stayathomegardener · 03/08/2018 13:35

Yes I tried yesterday, it's really strange.

No we are updating our website just a message about an order backlog.

Should still be able to browse.

JoanyB17 · 07/08/2018 17:18

So I tried to order a bag on line nearly two weeks ago . When I got to PAY nothing happened . I tried again a few times without success . I was then worried that I might have bought this bag 4 times over ! I rang LKB next day and they said they were having computer problems abd couldn’t tell me whether my order had been placed or not 🤷‍♀️.
I called again next day and they said same thing.
As the bag I wanted was in the sale and was for a special birthday present , I sent to the shop and bought it there as I didn’t want it to be out of stock.
I still have no idea whether maybe online order went through. They seem very cagey about the whole thing . For this to be going on for 2 weeks is most odd. Hope nothing bad is happening . I love LKB .

Ofthread · 07/08/2018 17:25

I don’t know but in June they reported a loss for financial year 2017 of £6 Million. That could be normal for retail for all I know, I know it’s really bad.

MyFavouritePlace · 07/08/2018 17:48

Hmm not sure but I went into one on Sunday and they'd drastically reduced the number of items they carry. Large sections of the shop were empty.

JoanyB17 · 07/08/2018 18:08

Hmm - not looking good - glad I got my raspberry sandals while I still could Grin

What’s going on at LK Bennett?
Nettletheelf · 07/08/2018 18:58

They are in trouble and have been loss-making for several years. Linda Bennett, the founder, bought the business back last year to try to turn it around, but evidence suggests that it’s not working.

I’m not really surprised. I will pay for good clothes, but what LK Bennett were charging for a polyester frock was ambitious, to say the least. I never rated the shoes either: nice quality but dull. I think they got too keen on selling safe, duchess Kate style clothes to royal wannabes. Also, the staff were either pushy or snooty depending on whether you looked as if you had plenty of cash.

At least they didn’t take your money, for the online sale, then fail to fulfil the order.

Baumederose · 07/08/2018 19:01

I ordered some shoes in the sale about 10 days ago. They took the funds, had no emails to confirm order, then the funds were refunded to my account.

Customer care cannot assist due to technical issues. The new season collection released recently is rather sparse in comparison with other years. I hope they aren't going out of business but I wouldn't be surprised.

mineisarossini · 07/08/2018 19:02

It looks like they are quietly going out of business. Our store was also virtually empty and didn’t even have anything in the windows. It is a shame as I love their shoes 👠

sunsalutations · 07/08/2018 19:04

Oh no! I love their shoes Sad

Want2bSupermum · 07/08/2018 19:11

Oh no. It's one of the few places left where I can get work dresses. Coast has been awful for the last 18 months. I ordered a bunch of dresses last week from LK and this explains why my order hasn't been fulfilled. Unfortunately the NYC store downtown doesn't have my size.

MoorMummy · 07/08/2018 19:53

About 7 ago my staple wardrobe was Lk Bennett ( albeit sales and e bay purchases ). Beautiful and stylish. For me it started to go downhill when The Duchess of Cambridge was pictured in a few outfits. After that everything seemed really staid and samey.

Disappointing as some of their stuff was lovely.

MoorMummy · 07/08/2018 19:53

And the one in Manchester shut ages ago, every time I went in it was dead.

Oly5 · 07/08/2018 19:57

Oh no, I love their clothes. They last and last

LuluJakey1 · 07/08/2018 20:00

I bought black suede loafers and have been incredibly disappointed with the quality. The heel binding has frayed on one and the heel fell off the other. I took them back after the heel binding frayed and was told 6 weeks was too lng for an exchange. Over-priced and poor quality.

MadMaryBoddington · 07/08/2018 20:18

Joany I love those sandals!

Want2bSupermum · 07/08/2018 22:54

moor The one in Chester was always quiet. My dad joked that I was the reason they remained open. Before they opened stores here in the Us I was buying lots from them when it went on sale.

Hobbs has gone downhill too. They used to have wool suits. Now its polyester or some derivative of it.

JaniceBattersby · 07/08/2018 23:03

There has been a series of issues paying creditors in their supply chain in the past few months. I don’t think they are long for this world, unfortunately Sad

Piccolino2 · 07/08/2018 23:50

Please say it isn't so. I LOVE LK Bennett. It's one of the few shops I really really love. Going to be so sad if they go under, everything I have from them is just fabulous (if a bit pricey)😩

JoanyB17 · 07/08/2018 23:53

MadMaryBoddington Thank you 😁

SuperSange · 08/08/2018 00:01

The one in Winchester closed about six months ago.

Original poster
Fresta · 08/08/2018 12:29

Oh no- really hope they can pull through- I love their shoes and have my eye on a bag I want too.

OP posts:
TheReturnoftheSmartArse · 08/08/2018 12:32

I'd understood it was to do with the courier company - my niece works in retail for a company using the same couriers as LKB. They've had huge problems with deliveries the last couple of weeks and DN has had to work long hours tracing the whereabouts of orders.

I know nothing of LKB's finances though.

AveEldon · 08/08/2018 12:39

John Lewis still sell their stuff

JoanyB17 · 08/08/2018 13:12

Funnily enough I’ve just collected a lovely blue suede LK Bennett bag from John Lewis to go wiry my sandals 🤭

Want2bSupermum · 08/08/2018 14:45

Well I'm going to do my bit and make my purchases. I love their stuff and it really lasts.