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Original poster

Cos....in trouble?

42 replies

mrsrhodgilbert · 10/07/2020 18:02

I read that the H&M group are going to be closing stores and this could include Cos and I’ve just read on a blog I follow that Cos could indeed be in trouble. I can’t find anything specific online, but I will be very sad if it goes under. It’s my favourite store, even if it remains online it won’t be the same. Things can look so drab on the website but be fantastic in the shops. Has anyone heard anything about this?

OP posts:
boomboom1234 · 10/07/2020 18:03

Oh no!!!! My fave too!!!!

ilovecherries · 10/07/2020 18:05

No, just on MLC which is where I assume you read it?

Original poster
mrsrhodgilbert · 10/07/2020 18:31

Yes it was MLC, who is very well connected in retail. My local store is Leeds, pretty much my only reason for going into the city. I have a wardrobe full of Cos clothes which will last me a long time as the quality is great, but I’d be so sad if there was no more.

OP posts:
Original poster
mrsrhodgilbert · 10/07/2020 18:33

I don’t know if she was suggesting that Cos in particular is in trouble or it’s just that her core audience is probably mostly interested in them

OP posts:
Rainallnight · 10/07/2020 18:34

Oh no, I’d be properly devastated.

Who’s MLC?

totallyyesno · 10/07/2020 18:35

Nooo! I love Cos too. I would rather And Other Stories went tbh.

Original poster
mrsrhodgilbert · 10/07/2020 19:06

Midlifechic, Nikki Garnett who used to be the editor of the Selfridges magazine. She mentioned a potential problem with Cos in her blog today but didn’t go into detail. I’m properly sad about this, I would also rather &otherstories went but my daughters wouldn’t agree with me.

OP posts:
ilovecherries · 10/07/2020 19:43

@mrsrhodgilbert

Yes it was MLC, who is very well connected in retail. My local store is Leeds, pretty much my only reason for going into the city. I have a wardrobe full of Cos clothes which will last me a long time as the quality is great, but I’d be so sad if there was no more.
My local store was Leeds as well, till the end of last year. It was one of the best CoS stores I’ve been into, loved it. I was also sad to read it on MLC, although I thought it sounded quite odd the way she just dropped it in without any context.
botemp · 10/07/2020 19:44

There was an article on Business of Fashion about it. It's in the paid section so I haven't read it, but the gist of it was that it was losing relevancy and sales are struggling compared to previous years. I don't think it means the end, probably that they're going to tinker with it (which can go either way) and potentially close some locations. I don't think it's the end of the brand.

QualityFeet · 10/07/2020 19:45

God love Cos
Only place I ever bother going to and still well made and good fabrics - rare these days

Original poster
mrsrhodgilbert · 10/07/2020 20:29

I really hope it’s not the end. There’s always a wide age range in there and the prices, whilst higher than H&M are not crazy. Surely no clothing companies are doing brilliant the moment. I think people are prepared to pay for quality and something a bit different. I love the fact that something I bought five years ago will look very good with something I could buy now, the styles and colours are consistent.

OP posts:
nevertrustaherdofcows · 10/07/2020 22:52

I love Cos, but there was absolutely nothing this year I wanted - some of my friends said the same thing.

Something has gone a bit haywire with the designs

Bloodylovecheese · 10/07/2020 23:33

Noooooo!

Notcontent · 10/07/2020 23:37

Maybe they need to get some new designers? It’s all become a bit the same...

Gwynfluff · 10/07/2020 23:40

Cos, Arket. &otherstories and H&M -all the same group - had grown over the last years. But the last few moths have been tough and exposed how vulnerable the high street is. Even Zara are contracting.

That said, cos are my behaving like those in serious trouble. Discounts have been standard and in line for the group. But they are more cautious in general and more governed by the European model.all I would say is they have never contracted and have been expanding for 10 yearsish. Let’s hoe it is natural attrition.

Alongcameacat · 10/07/2020 23:40

No please say this isn't true.

fizzpopbang123 · 11/07/2020 08:15

nevertrustaherdofcows I agree, I am a huge fan but thought there was something off about this season and last A/W too actually. I didn't like the colourways although that could be personal preference, and happens when a store picks a seasonal palette, which Cos does more than a lot of places I think. I also thought the quirky cuts and design features just hung badly when they usually elevate and transform an otherwise basic into something special. Saved me some money though!

I really hope this isn't true, for me it's not just the styles, they are one of the few high street stores offering predominantly natural fibres, the price point is good. Also I find the customer service excellent, not just online but my local store staff are just fantastic.

LunaTheCat · 11/07/2020 09:26

They have just opened a shop in NZ - I hope not!!

Floisme · 11/07/2020 10:32

If I recall correctly, Hennes and Mauritz were one of the companies who paid their suppliers for orders cancelled due to lockdown, so I wish them well. But I imagine every retailer the world over - apart from Amazon - will be in retreat mode at the moment.

I will be deeply pissed off if Cos close their regional stores and we go back to 17 shops, all in London.

H&M on the other hand, have 3 stores near me and they're all shit so, aside from the workers, I can't say I would mourn if one or two closed. Which is sad as I was a big fan not so long ago.
I was also in a couple of European branches (H&M still) last year which were amazing and in high contrast to the dross they now serve up to their British customers.

Original poster
mrsrhodgilbert · 11/07/2020 10:55

I will also be upset if they close their regional stores although I imagine my nearest Leeds one must have pretty expensive rent. The chances of me getting on a train to London this year are none existent. It really is a shop that you have to get into, their website is so austere.

OP posts:
DianaT1969 · 11/07/2020 11:02

I love COS too. My favourite dresses are from there. Natural fabrics and good quality. I'm not sure how they make such lovely clothes look bad on the website.

AnnaNimmity · 11/07/2020 11:05

I don't mind Cos but would be really bothered if Other Stories shut down - it's one of my staples at the moment

sophiestew · 11/07/2020 11:17

I would be far more upset if Stories or Monki closed. Cos is far too grown up for me ( I am 55)

I suspect if the group is in trouble they would be more likely to close down some of the less successful H&M stores that litter our High Streets. Fingers crossed.

Floisme · 11/07/2020 11:26

The last time I went into a branch of & Other Stories I couldn't believe how shoddy everything looked. This was a large store in a major city.