My favourite shop is going downhill

[user12678356]

I've been a fan of HoF for a few years and it's where I shop - mostly.

Following the recent takeover, I've observed a significant drop in product offerings. They don't currently stock high quality brands like they used to and the few good brands are offered in silly sizes.

Also, I've noticed a surge in the sports direct brands. I'm glad the business got saved and less jobs lost, but I'm gutted my favourite shop is changing & I'll have to go elsewhere. Anyone else noticed this?

Aaaaaaw Jenners.
My uni flat mate worked there in the 80s
Rumour had it you had to meet a certain point in an attractiveness criteria to get a job there.
(She was beautiful).
Always go into Jenners to see the Christmas tree.
Might have footballs hanging from it this year?

Sadly it’s the department stores with the omni channel offering that are performing well ie John Lewis. Brits love to shop online and click & collect.

My oh has worked for a number of high end brands and I recall a conversation I had with him some time ago. If I remember correctly if you sell your brand into any of mike Ashley’s portfolio you run the risk of it ending up on sports direct shelves causing massive damage to the brand. I am wondering if the brands are stopping selling in to HOF. I know that when Oh worked for a popular sportswear brand they refused to sell certain lines to USC (also owned by MA) to avoid them ending up in SD shelves.

The problem that is being overlooked is that House of Fraser owed its creditors £ms. Why would you ever supply them again? Of course it’s changed with that legacy! The Westfield one is ok but I now rarely go in there unless it’s cold as it’s the warm route to the underground station!

@cherryhealey if you go in to see the Christmas tree this year you will be bitterly disappointed....... I went in as it is something my Granny always took me to see as a child.. it used to be beautiful....The one they have in just now is awful!

I don't think anyone is overlooking that Bubblesbuddy, everyone is aware of what has happened and why but it doesn't make it any less disappointing

Oh god, this so much. I mean the one on Oxford St was full of shite last time I looked and the Victoria Street/Westminster one is depressing in the extreme.

The Guildford one is not showing much change at the moment, apart from one of the ladies clothes floor. One corner looked a tad bare.

I went into the Milton Keynes one last week and lots do rubbish cheap sportswear upstairs. Bloody Karrimor 🤬

I spotted Karrimor in our lovely new Rushden Lakes one, .

Whilst there is much that Mike Ashley can be blamed for, I don’t think this is one of them. They owed suppliers millions, they obvious aren’t supplying to them any more. He’s kept loads of stores open that would’ve closed and thus saved a lot of jobs. He made a comment last week that his aim was to build it back up to a high quality store (my ears pricked up because that’s not what I was expecting). I guess at the moment they’re having to sell whatever is available to them since they don’t have their usual suppliers any more until they can sort stuff out.

I sound like his PR machine and I really am not- I just don’t think he can be blamed for the lack of stock when the previous owners didn’t pay any of the suppliers.

Our local one is awful, full of cheap stuff from Sports Direct, and bewildered ladies with nice handbags trying to find something to buy.

Been to Jenners…….
Oh dear.

They probably can't get good stock if the suppliers are owed money.

Hof in Glasgow was always very dreary inside and has been for years. Not sure if it has changed now.

Do you think he bought them out so that he can slowly turn all of the sites into sports directs without anyone noticing? Sounds like that’s the plan

My feelings exactly

The HoF at Bluewater has been dire for years , I was in there last week and I can’t say I noticed that it had changed much - hideous shop .

If everyone on this thread moaning about it had done a bit more shopping in the place a few months ago none of this would have happened 🙄

Earlier on I said it had been a jumble sale for 5-6 years, but I've just been reminded that we were given a voucher for £200 when we married over 12 years ago and we struggled to find anything decent to buy even back then. We ended up spending it on cutlery and Le Crueset but there was little choice and we had to wade through a lot of tat.

If everyone on this thread moaning about it had done a bit more shopping in the place a few months ago none of this would have happened

I bought quite a just before it changed, a Dyson fan, saltwater sandals, some Whitestuff clothes, a Christmas tree and decs, it didn’t make any difference

Their online shopping is the worst experience I've ever had. The items I ordered were coming from two different places so I had to pay two separate delivery costs (£4.99 each).

Returns need to be paid for too and had to go back to the separate places so two lots of return costs.

Returning items to the store won't get you a refund either, just store credit.

I will never shop there again!!

EffOrf - you tried I guess

The one nearest to me has been dire for years. Dark, depressing place.

Feeling nostalgic for Dickins and Jones in Regent St, and Army and Navy in Victoria.

Oh no heartbroken about Jenner's. was always such a classy shop.

The £5 delivery charge has put me off.