2021 - Retailer woe & retail sector chat

[anonymoususer]

The future of High Street Banking ?

"Trials of shared banking hubs to be extended"

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58245844

[Vasco]

anonymoususer said:

The future of High Street Banking ?

"Trials of shared banking hubs to be extended"

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58245844

Good to see some sensible arrangements being progressed for those in the community who still have a need for a physical banking presence nearby.

[hyphen]

Vasco said:

Good to see some sensible arrangements being progressed for those in the community who still have a need for a physical banking presence nearby.

The old people who can't use the net will turn up on the wrong day, and be told "you needs Lloyd's, I'm HSBC. You need to wait till Tuesday love"

[snuffy]

BBC article said:

More than 8,700 chain stores closed in British High Streets, shopping centres and retail parks in the first six months of this year, research suggests.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58433461

[hyphen]

Surprising news: IKEA is expected to take over the Oxford Street ex-Topshop flagship store building.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/sep/09/i...

Also Issa Brothers are rumoured to be selling the petrol station business off. Which is a big change for them having built it up over many years.

[surveyor]

hyphen said:

Surprising news: IKEA is expected to take over the Oxford Street ex-Topshop flagship store building.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/sep/09/i...

Also Issa Brothers are rumoured to be selling the petrol station business off. Which is a big change for them having built it up over many years.

Perhaps the new owner will employ some cleaners and maintenance staff.

[hyphen]

If MFG buy it, then yes.

They are really spending on their forecourts, installing new jetwashes too.

[ambuletz]

Slight tangent but ASDA...they've completely removed the changing rooms and the counter where a staff member deals with purchases and all the clothing. Pretty frustrating as there was a tshirt I really wanted to buy, but the only one that was in my size had a defect on it (had a large smear of white paint). Nobody was around to assist or check in the back. Even asked someone stacking shelves who went around looking for anyone who normally deals with the clothing stock..but no dice.

[hyphen]

What have they done with the space that was the changing room?

I went to M&S today to buy a decent white shirt to wear with a suit. Stock was terrible and empty racks so left without. Looked on the website later and the same there too, all out. Appreciate that people are going back to work, but surely they could have predicted that...

Also went to the food part to get a baguette/ciabatta type sandwich which they do fresh ones of normally, but this store only had the pre-packed ones.


M&S never get anything right.

[anonymous-user]

hyphen said:

M&S never get anything right.

No it is clear that with the exception of food they are a dinosaur and will suffer a long, drawn out death of a thousand cuts. I think people will look back on M&S fondly like they did with Woolworths and think it is a shame without realising they hadn't actually shopped there for 20 years, other than buying some food on the way home from the office.

[ambuletz]

hyphen said:

What have they done with the space that was the changing room?

1 wall hung trousers, another wall has a 3m tall 2m wide advertising LCD screen. the actual space of the changing rooms is now the room for the stock, you can see through the employee only double doors. No doubt the thing was probably in stock. But there was nobody who delt with clothing around to help me out.

I've now done click & collect,, to another ASDA (which doesnt do mens clothing in store, but is more convienient for me to get to)

and as for M&S... i went in there afew years ago looking for V-neck tshirts. Couldn't find any so asked the lady working there. It seemed like it was a very common question as she told me they don't do them. How can a clothing shop.. especially one as large as M&S not sell V-neck tshirts when every other single place that sells clothes...does?

Edited by ambuletz on Monday 13th September 16:52

[hyphen]

M&S had a food shop in Waterloo Train Station, they have now expanded to first floor for clothes which is fine I suppose, if works in a Station.

But on the bottom floor they have reduced some food space near entrance and are selling mens undies.

Odd

Edited by hyphen on Friday 17th September 14:57

[hyphen]

M&S had a food shop in Waterloo Train Station, they have now expanded to first floor for clothes which is fine I suppose, if works in a Station.

But on the bottom floor they have reduced some food space near entrance and are selling mens undies.

Odd

Edited by hyphen on Friday 17th September 14:58

[hyphen]

And some Sesame Street/muppets knock off too

[soxboy]

hyphen said:

M&S had a food shop in Waterloo Train Station, they have now expanded to first floor for clothes which is fine I suppose, if works in a Station.

But on the bottom floor they have reduced some food space near entrance and are selling mens undies.

Odd

Edited by hyphen on Friday 17th September 14:58

Well I suppose it’s an interesting way of filling the empty shelf space that I’ve seen elsewhere in M&S and Waitrose.

[V6Alfisti]

soxboy said:

Well I suppose it’s an interesting way of filling the empty shelf space that I’ve seen elsewhere in M&S and Waitrose.

I suspect that is exactly it, if you have empty shelves due to lack of food supply....replace with something else that is required in that area/store and clearly it's blokes boxers.

[Flooble]

Perhaps with trains few and far between there are more people having "accidents" during their commute?

[soxboy]

Called in to my local M&S Food today, they’ve found a solution to empty shelves - filled them with Christmas stuff.

[Magog]

Have to say Waitrose are really losing it with this. A move that actively deters spontaneous casual purchases, and inconveniences customers just seems bizarre for a business that is struggling.


https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/content/about-us/sus...

[anonymoususer]

Magog said:

Have to say Waitrose are really losing it with this. A move that actively deters spontaneous casual purchases, and inconveniences customers just seems bizarre for a business that is struggling.


https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/content/about-us/sus...

I have to say yep
The bit about the guy on the doorstep swapping stuff into your bags etc
Hmmmmmm wonder what that will do to delivery slots

The whole thing just sounds like recycling top trumps