JIGSAW on verge of closing (?)

[JinglingHellsBells]

Article in the Mail which is a bit ambiguous (no surprise there.) Talks about closing stores and redundancies but unclear if ALL stores will close.

TBH I'm not surprised. I used to buy a couple of things from Jigsaw each year, around 10 years or more ago and loved their slightly quirkiness and lovely fabrics.

I've not bought anything now for around 5 years because I don't like being ripped off - £100+ for polyester whatever- sizes are huge on me (I'm short) and a lot of the styles are middle aged and frumpy. I am middle aged but not frumpy.

I think if they got their pricing right and stopped being greedy, they might have survived.

Well you won't miss them will you? All good.

I’d feel sad about Jigsaw if they go.

I am not really sure why I stopped shopping there for clothes but they just felt less desirable than they once did. I quite often get accessories from there though.

Didn't see the Mail article, but did see something recently in a trade publication that they're trying to refinance with their creditors (via a CVA) to keep their core UK women's wear business open. I know they closed all their shops in Australia a few months ago and are discontinuing their menswear line after this season, stating COVID-related losses and wanting to refocus.

They've been in trouble for a while now, with buyouts and restructurings - part of it is that they were a clear niche when they opened in the '70s, and now that niche is crowded with competitors - not just UK, but EU and US companies too. They also seem to have some odd political connections.

Agree with personanongarter - in the last five years, I think the only thing I've bought from them full price was a pair of boots - and then some accessories in the sales. They do (or did) have quite good sales...

I'm really sorry to hear they might close, it must be a really worrying time to work in (non food & diy) retail. I used to shop there a lot & the service was always good.

I will miss them for amazing quality winter coats and brilliant work skirts - only bought in the sale though. Nothing much else if I’m honest.

Yes, I have a beautiful winter coat from them which I bought about 4 years ago. Cost a packet but love it.

They DO have some things I like- mainly knitwear and tops- but I never buy as even in sales their prices seem high for what they are.

I bought a couple of bags in the winter sale earlier this year and they’re really good quality.
I imagine their smart aesthetic doesn’t really go with the new WFH lifestyle.

This isn’t surprising, but it does make me sad. All my bags are from Jigsaw - per pp, bought in the sales - and I also have a few “investment buys” I paid full price for, a lovely faux fur jacket, and a leather skirt. There’s a shop close to my work, and I bought quite a few bits from their resin jewellery collection last year.

Agree with pp that their smart office wear is out of line with tracksuits and yoga pants, per the current mood - but surely that won’t be forever?

Actually, my leather skirt and fur jacket were both with a discount code now I think about it.

The only thing I buy from Jigsaw is bags and coats. They might be better off just doing those tbh.

I don't buy from them very often but everything I have bought has been much admired and lasted a very long time. their menswear was particularly good, I've bought some lovely T shirts for DH and DS 1&2 over the years. I'd better have a good rummage on line through the dregs of the sale as it might be the last chance.

I must say I do find the shop assistants in jigsaw a bit snotty though.

All my work suits are from jigsaw - excellent quality and fit. I will be sad if they go!

I used to buy quite a bit in the sales years ago and things lasted well. Not sure who could afford full price now and agree it's not worth it for the quality of the material. It would have been great to see Jigsaw morph into selling good quality work/casual basics as I really feel there's a massive gap in the market for them.

Sad to see anything close down as this will be devastating for their employees

It could be that the game is up for mass market retailers: I don't buy much from them, because (a) I am old-ish and have most of the clothes I need, so it will be replacements (b) the quality has gone down, as the game is to slash prices to the bone (c) lots of people prefer to shop online and therefore can access a global choice of goods at their preferred price range. The independent stores that do well are run by individuals who know their market and their customers and buy with them and fashion in mind. I try very hard to buy most clothes from such shops, apart from Uniqlo T shirts and cashmere.

Oh no I hope this isn’t true. I’ve bought a few pieces from their sale recently which are really nice. One of the few brands of quality with clothes that do last.

I loved them in my thirties - great suits for work , lovely dresses , quirky stuff etc but for years now passing by their window there really isn’t anything to entice me in which is sad . As others have said they’ve lost their niche .

I'm sad but not surprised. I have a lot of Jigsaw (it's my go to really) but only in last days of sale or second hand from eBay. The quality is good, but there's definitely a gap between their prices at POS and the quality.

I'd miss them. I buy from them, but only if I love something. I don't buy basics there.

They are too expensive.

I think they're also guilty of wanting to be a small and exclusive boutique experience and it not working out. Shops are generally small, so you've got the hovering-assistant thing, when maybe instead of lots of little branches, one big two-floor set up would attract more punters.

@jolokoy

The only thing I buy from Jigsaw is bags and coats. They might be better off just doing those tbh.

This is very true. I have two lovely wool jigsaw coats.

They lost their way with product when they decided they didn't want to cater to their core market anymore and wanted to go after the younger, urban customer.

Their prices also increased and the quality decreased which their customers noticed quickly.
Not due to them 'being greedy' but because huge debts were run up due to poor management and they couldn't pay suppliers until investors stepped in. Cost cutting across all areas had to happen and they seemed to start to follow the same business model as LKB et al - start with prices high and have continuous mid season sales at prices they should have started at anyway. Disastrous. Especially given the fuss they had made previously about for 'Life not Landfill' and never discouting bar 1 winter and 1 summer sale.

Also, not all stores are closing yet, but some havent reopened after lockdown so they prob won't. They have a CVA, which while common now, is not good news!

I'll be sad if Jigsaw does close. I always have to wait for the sales to afford anything, but I like the quality and that I could wear things for years without it looking dated.

There will be nowhere left soon.

I only ever buy them in the sales. Their trouser pockets are made with that flimsy silky material that's so pointless I end up replacing the pockets with proper sturdy ones. I do like some of their 100 Cotton or 100 merino jumpers. I do like them and hope they make it.

They used to do these lovely long sleeved striped teeshirts but have stopped those. Everything looked a bit fast fashion in terms of quality, this year.