Is Johnny Boden a plonker?

[JeopardyMoose]

Has anyone else had this postcard from Boden apologising? I did used to buy loads of Boden a few years back but I’ve not found anything I liked recently - and the prices seem so high. Interesting that they seem to be listening…

Me too. I remember the thread unfurling.

'And the Lord Johnnie anointed some to be boho, and some to be artisan, but those that were petite were anointed separately, and the tiniest of these were called mini, each was of a branch of the tree of Johnnie.'

Wow, interesting marketing.

''We were shit, have a look and see if we're not a bit less shit now, no money off no''

I have a 19year old some of the stuff I bought him is on it's sixth child.

Oooof. Sales must be shite.

On the plonker page (!) these two survey questions suggest are giving slightly panicked vibes from Boden HQ.

Is there something specific they messed up on? I've had a few comfy dresses for work when I have a discount code, but I'm not a big customer.

My entire wardrobe used to be boden but they've become too expensive. I buy the odd item off eBay but otherwise go elsewhere these days

This had me in stitches 😂

@friskybivalves it was a thread of genius!

On price there's a real issue for them I guess that wages have been basically stagnant since 2010 while inflation has been nearly 50%.

Their target demographic is skint!!

Yes he’s a plonker. I recall some of his earlier clothes I liked and so did DM. I had an amazing blue raincoat (no hood) which DM got me as a present but much of his recent offerings I don’t even look at.

I assumed it was another £10 voucher for clothes I don't like.

It was the bizarre sixties and hideous 70s vibes that killed me off. Who wears that?! A lot of the v-necks on dresses are also way too low cut.
I love some of my older purchases, though. I think as the ideal demographic 10/15 years ago, I’m just now more….well…..stylish?! Children grow up, mum wardrobe moves on and I want chic, work pieces. Cut for boobage too.

I love it when I do this 😂 Usually I agree with someone's very sensible advice and then think, hang on, this is an old thread and that's exactly what I would say... Oh!

Once you've lost a customer base, it's mostly gone for good in retail.

I'm so sick to the back teeth of trying to find decent workwear. I want natural fibres, a decent cut and am happy to spend money on it. So why can't I find it

Wonder what’s prompted this.

I remember around May I was asked to do an online survey for them where they asked you to rate various items from the current season and the reason for the score.

I did and really bloody invested in my answers. Pointed out the crazy pricing, wacky designs and cuts that seemed at odds with their target market- what middle-aged woman what’s to spend £70 on a handkerchief chemise?

The wording of the mail shot is a bit cringe but to be honest I’m glad I know that they’re consciously trying to change direction. I’ll start actually looking at the women’s wear again and stop going straight to the kids stuff.

well well well. Everyone I know (45-55 women in jobs) wore boden. But for the last two years its been spectacularly awful crop tops, ruffles, tent dresses, and no decent clothes at all. I emailed them, put commetns on their FB, tweeted, and thought it was curtains. But clearly something has happened.

i'm not suprised. we are their core customer. I am mid 50s and stylish but I don't have any desire to wear a floral tent, ruffles, puffed sleeves or a mini dress. I do want to wear chinos, slim trousers, blazers, shirts, bretons and the occasional show stopper from their Boden Icons range... (remember those).

polyester ruffled tents NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I agree about natural fibres, too hard to find.

They briefly did a long length options in some of their tops. I'd pay for that again! My height is all in my torso.

So agree - fed up of the times I've filed in survey and emailed them with suggestions - I have the funds (know I'm lucky) to buy quality lovely clothes and tbh 50% of my past wardrobe was Boden - last thing I bought from them and kept was 2 years ago ( !)

Hoping Johnny Plonker means it and will bring old but best Boden type back as I would love somewhere to shop again

I haven’t had a postcard but did get a 25% off card in the post today. I’m pleased if they realise they went very wrong. I’d noticed that their new range feels a bit more like Boden of old. The ottoman dress is back and there are a couple of other knee length dresses in good colours that’d be good for work.

however, I did get momentarily excited at the range of strong colours in their knitwear only to see most of it is cropped so not quite getting it right for their main demographic yet!

I got one of their sales cards in the post today but not the one from Johnny.

TBH I've been putting most of their mail in the bin for the past few years. They've become really shit and everything is just plain coloured, like beige. Bring back the florals and patterns. They used to do gorgeous dresses but now its all meh.

I got the postcard and then felt bit guilty 😂😂😂😂 Unlike most of the nay sayers on here I've always loved Boden and still do.I just haven't bought much this year ( a part from Christmas and Birthday gift vouchers) because I had banned myself from new clothes this year as I' paying for a big holiday for me and my adult sons!!!

They haven’t manufactured in the UK (apart from a few items) for years. When I worked there in the early 2000 our buyers were off to Portugal and China to visit factories.

Johnnie was not the biggest plonker I have worked for, but he was very fixed on his ideas for the business. It was working well when I left in 2007. Maybe not so much now?

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/plonker

fill it out and tell them why we hate puffed sleeves and ruffles 😑