The "predict the next high street shop to disappear" thread
Discussion
We all know that several really big high street shops are closing down or minimising their stores.
Which shops do you think may go out of business or shut down in some way next?
For me:
WH Smith - It's like a collection of old dusty tat everytime I go in there. Always a musty smell as well, with old packets of stationary and magazines that barely anyone must be buying these days. I'm surprised it's even lasted this long.
Clintons - Can't believe the cost of cards in there. I think I bought one recently, basic A5 one and it was about £4.
Currys - went in there today and it's a huge store full of expensive items, with underqualified staff. They must be paying huge amounts in rent, surprised it's not just all online now.
Any thoughts?
Which shops do you think may go out of business or shut down in some way next?
For me:
WH Smith - It's like a collection of old dusty tat everytime I go in there. Always a musty smell as well, with old packets of stationary and magazines that barely anyone must be buying these days. I'm surprised it's even lasted this long.
Clintons - Can't believe the cost of cards in there. I think I bought one recently, basic A5 one and it was about £4.
Currys - went in there today and it's a huge store full of expensive items, with underqualified staff. They must be paying huge amounts in rent, surprised it's not just all online now.
Any thoughts?
Currys is definitely not disappearing. They are still competitive online and that’s what is keeping them afloat. I can see the brick and mortar shops reducing a bit.
I would say HMV, but its become a niche shop with a loyal customer base after it reemerged.
About 10 years ago, I would have said M&S but they have really reinvented themselves and its a pleasure to shop at, much better than Waitrose which is boring and only for toffs, unimaginative, overpriced food and rude staff.
WHSmiths is a ghost town compared to the much more interesting Waterstones.
TKMaxx is another ghost town, full of rubbish crap that nobody wants.
I would say HMV, but its become a niche shop with a loyal customer base after it reemerged.
About 10 years ago, I would have said M&S but they have really reinvented themselves and its a pleasure to shop at, much better than Waitrose which is boring and only for toffs, unimaginative, overpriced food and rude staff.
WHSmiths is a ghost town compared to the much more interesting Waterstones.
TKMaxx is another ghost town, full of rubbish crap that nobody wants.
shirt said:
WHS must be propped up massively by their airport & train station locations, plus they have branches overseas that always seem busy. Doubt they'll go pop just yet.
They are - the airport/ hub units are very profitable and support the high street operations. The CEO has even said they invest the bare minimum into high street compared to hub units. Alorotom said:
Argos, seems a no-brainer to me, esp with the smaller satellite stores where you can't collect the same day and delivery is expensive ... makes more sense to use Amazon.
Argos are already closing a lot of stores and relocating them inside sainsburys stores.As far as i'm aware they are actually doing pretty well.
V 02 said:
Currys is definitely not disappearing. They are still competitive online and that’s what is keeping them afloat. I can see the brick and mortar shops reducing a bit.
I would say HMV, but its become a niche shop with a loyal customer base after it reemerged.
About 10 years ago, I would have said M&S but they have really reinvented themselves and its a pleasure to shop at, much better than Waitrose which is boring and only for toffs, unimaginative, overpriced food and rude staff.
WHSmiths is a ghost town compared to the much more interesting Waterstones.
TKMaxx is another ghost town, full of rubbish crap that nobody wants.
Every now and again TKMaxx throws up some random gems that makes it worth the visit. I would say HMV, but its become a niche shop with a loyal customer base after it reemerged.
About 10 years ago, I would have said M&S but they have really reinvented themselves and its a pleasure to shop at, much better than Waitrose which is boring and only for toffs, unimaginative, overpriced food and rude staff.
WHSmiths is a ghost town compared to the much more interesting Waterstones.
TKMaxx is another ghost town, full of rubbish crap that nobody wants.
I bought a pair of suede Puma (retro) trainers from TKMaxx a month ago. They would have been around the £80 mark from website/another sports retailer. I paid £30.
Fat Face = No idea who the target market is, seems to be middle aged plain women who work in HR?
Superdry = Youngsters won't shop there as it is deeply uncool. Clothing for middle aged dads and undercover police.
Holland and Barrett = No idea who buys this stuff
Poundland = Nothing is a pound anymore. The food can be bought for the same price or less in supermarkets. All of their electrical stuff is landfill tat. They are trying to diversify with clothing, does anybody buy this.
Wilko = Surprised they are still around, I thought they would go a few months ago when their shelves were suspiciously bare.
L'occitane = What is this shop, I never see a single person in there. Is it a front for laundered money?
Ryman = Who buys stationary anymore?
Superdry = Youngsters won't shop there as it is deeply uncool. Clothing for middle aged dads and undercover police.
Holland and Barrett = No idea who buys this stuff
Poundland = Nothing is a pound anymore. The food can be bought for the same price or less in supermarkets. All of their electrical stuff is landfill tat. They are trying to diversify with clothing, does anybody buy this.
Wilko = Surprised they are still around, I thought they would go a few months ago when their shelves were suspiciously bare.
L'occitane = What is this shop, I never see a single person in there. Is it a front for laundered money?
Ryman = Who buys stationary anymore?
Wilko will be next. its not as cheap as poundland, the stores are way too big with too much "occasional" product on shelf (like bed shetes, paint, potsn pans). its just woolies all over again. in the run up to xmas 2022 they had very little to actually sell - esp toys and gifts. veyr weak store. shame.
Alorotom said:
Argos, seems a no-brainer to me, esp with the smaller satellite stores where you can't collect the same day and delivery is expensive ... makes more sense to use Amazon.
That's a great shout. They're also very awkward to deal with. My Mum got about 6 voucher codes to use. The online service only lets you enter 3 at most. To use more you have to call them. We spent ages trying to get through to them, eventually ordered but then had to get it delivered to a store in an odd location as they couldn't go to the local one
Their business model is rubbish these days too, years ago it was innovative and exciting to have so much in store with a fun little pen and the waiting for your number to come up.
Currys will stick around for a bit because you still have that boomer/early Gen X group who are scared of technology and still want to look at stuff in person and ask advice, doesnt matter that the staff dont know what they are talking about, they still know more than them.
WH Smith is on a downwards trajectory last time I went in one I noticed it looked more and more like a jumble sale
WH Smith is on a downwards trajectory last time I went in one I noticed it looked more and more like a jumble sale
Kuwahara said:
Superdry is a good shout their gear was everywhere but now looked on as uncool so right up my street..!!
f
k ,no idea who buys it anymore…
Tried to say French Connection but wouldn’t allow…
Superdry have just left our main shopping centre....they only opened a few months agof
k ,no idea who buys it anymore…Tried to say French Connection but wouldn’t allow…
redrabbit29 said:
That's a great shout.
They're also very awkward to deal with. My Mum got about 6 voucher codes to use. The online service only lets you enter 3 at most. To use more you have to call them. We spent ages trying to get through to them, eventually ordered but then had to get it delivered to a store in an odd location as they couldn't go to the local one
Their business model is rubbish these days too, years ago it was innovative and exciting to have so much in store with a fun little pen and the waiting for your number to come up.
Yet the numbers disagree. Argos is doing very well.They're also very awkward to deal with. My Mum got about 6 voucher codes to use. The online service only lets you enter 3 at most. To use more you have to call them. We spent ages trying to get through to them, eventually ordered but then had to get it delivered to a store in an odd location as they couldn't go to the local one
Their business model is rubbish these days too, years ago it was innovative and exciting to have so much in store with a fun little pen and the waiting for your number to come up.
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