Halfords in receivership?

[h4muf]

As above,a little bird spoke to me today about it.

Has anyone else heard anything?

[ejenner]

Wouldn't be surprised.

[Tsippy]

But they offer such good service from knowledgable staff at low low prices......

[Magic919]

Nope.

[davepoth]

Google hasn't heard either.

[hornetrider]

Very much doubt it. Haven't they just expanded into servicing? Unlikely to have run out of cash already.

[pinchmeimdreamin]

well they hadn't at 6.15pm
http://investing.thisismoney.co.uk/quote/HFD

[ejenner]

Looks like make-believe.

If you check their company website they are still showing a share price. http://www.halfordscompany.com

I'm no markets expert but I think that means still trading and fully operational. If a company goes under the shares have to be frozen.

[nobodyknows]

I have read that they are doing very well out of the current financial hardship, people buying bikes & doing DIY maintenance on their cars.

[LS6wetdream]

i heard they owe around £6-7 mil in rent for the failed focus stores though, wouldn't worry me if they went under, they dont sell anything i want or need

[ejenner]

I reckon its from selling batteries. Man how I laughed when I saw the prices recently.

[mad4amanda]

yes there would be a major liability for focused rents unless they were underwritten by the Boots company who owned both at the time.

[pinchmeimdreamin]

LS6wetdream said:

i heard they owe around £6-7 mil in rent for the failed focus stores though, wouldn't worry me if they went under, they dont sell anything i want or need

You dont own a car or ride bike then ?

[ridds]

Or have a trade card....

They actually supply some things at a reasonable price, handy at 2pm on a Sunday afternoon when the motor factors are shut.

Confused as to why they have gone back to the servicing side though. I thought they got burnt by that years ago.

[ejenner]

Because they are a PLC their entire business depends on ever-increasing profits for the shareholders. Ridiculous business model as eventually the cows tit dries up and won't make any more milk no matter how hard you squeeze it.

Edit: I should add, hence going back into servicing. They need to increase profits.

[calibrax]

ejenner said:

Because they are a PLC their entire business depends on ever-increasing profits for the shareholders. Ridiculous business model as eventually the cows tit dries up and won't make any more milk no matter how hard you squeeze it.

Edit: I should add, hence going back into servicing. They need to increase profits.

So by that logic, every PLC is doomed to fail...

[ejenner]

No, every PLC is committed to making obscene amounts of profit for its share holders.

[The Black Flash]

Although normally a cynic, I've been into a few Halfords' stores recently, and they appear to have improved immeasurably on the knowledge and customer service front. I've been pleasantly surprised each time by the experience. Hard times driving up standards, perhaps.

[h4muf]

Give it two weeks i'm told...

[Wing Commander]

Really hope not.

I always go against the PH grain on this one, but with a trade card, it is a great place to go. Most staff in my local one are helpful and quite knowledgeable etc. It is always nice to be able to pop there at 7.30pm weekdays or on a sunday as that is when I am working on my cars - I work the rest of the time as do most people so normal factors are no use.

Tools are lifetime warranty, bulbs etc are pence, not pounds with a trade card, and long/weekend hours mean it has a niche market IMO.