First retail ‘name’ to pop off 2018

[captain_cynic]

cat with a hat said:

I've always felt like Subaru and Mitsubishi just kinda gave up on their performance vehicles... They stopped innovating or pushing any performance boundaries, changed to some slightly boring shaped vehicles and just sat waiting until people would stop buying them.

Subaru and Mitsi did just give up on their performance offerings and are now just pushing their SUV offerings overseas. They were losing money hand over fist on the Evo's and WRX's just for rivalry's sake. As soon as Mitsi abandoned the Evo, I knew the WRX or STI wasn't far behind especially since they diverged the normal Impreza from the WRX chassis. Subaru makes most of their money from North America with that accounting for 60% of the sales and most of that SUV. Australia is their 3rd biggest market, bigger than sales in Europe. Despite that, I don't see Subaru going anywhere and I still see a few Foresters doing the school run.

I think Mitsi have a strong presence in the commercial (LGV and HGV) market that spills over into vans and pickups so I don't see them going anywhere either even if they're not selling many Colts.

[captain_cynic]

Matthen said:

I've always thought Maplin was a sad story; too expensive - the people who shop there are also the people who frequently shop online, and it's not remotely competitive price wise.

It's useful to have though - for that day your PC fans give up/specialist lightbulb bursts/other scenario wherein otherwise you'd have to wait 3 days for delivery.

Maplin would be my call as well. Whenever I need a PC part right away (usually a cable or something I forgot to order, last time it was a Molex to SATA power cable) I could usually get it from Currys cheaper and faster... or I'd just wait 24 hours for Amazon's next day service.

[captain_cynic]

El stovey said:

Do you mean travel agents or holiday companies?

Sadly travel agents are going to be around for a few years because there are still some people who cant believe they can book the same flight for less by themselves.

As for holiday companies, the vertically integrated ones like TUI will survive, at least for a decade. Not much use to the single traveller, but couples and families that want a package deal to Dinnyland or wherever will just automatically go to one of them.

[Jazzy Jag]

captain_cynic said:

cat with a hat said:

I've always felt like Subaru and Mitsubishi just kinda gave up on their performance vehicles... They stopped innovating or pushing any performance boundaries, changed to some slightly boring shaped vehicles and just sat waiting until people would stop buying them.

Subaru and Mitsi did just give up on their performance offerings and are now just pushing their SUV offerings overseas. They were losing money hand over fist on the Evo's and WRX's just for rivalry's sake. As soon as Mitsi abandoned the Evo, I knew the WRX or STI wasn't far behind especially since they diverged the normal Impreza from the WRX chassis. Subaru makes most of their money from North America with that accounting for 60% of the sales and most of that SUV. Australia is their 3rd biggest market, bigger than sales in Europe. Despite that, I don't see Subaru going anywhere and I still see a few Foresters doing the school run.

I think Mitsi have a strong presence in the commercial (LGV and HGV) market that spills over into vans and pickups so I don't see them going anywhere either even if they're not selling many Colts.

While Subaru Japan might be doing OK, the UK importer, International Motors may decide to pull the plug on the brand as they already have done on Daihatsu, Greatwall and a few other brands historically.

IIRC any Mitsubishi bigger than the Pick up or small van is a different company to Colt Car Co, in Cirencester.

Mitsubishi is now part of Renault Nissan group, who already have a HQ which manages Renault, Nissan, Infiniti and Dacia.
I don't see that Mitsubishi in another location adds value to the group.

[CardinalBlue]

Sky News reporting New Look are looking at closing 60 if it’s stores.

[Yipper]

New Look has suffered from some dreadful management incompetence. It was very profitable just a year or two ago. Think a combo of disastrous fashion choices and a fraud scandal at its parent company have sent it down the gurgler.

[AstonZagato]

Poundland's parent, Steinhoff, has announced a significant accounting fraud. Poundland seems ok but may be on the block to be sold.

[Digga]

AstonZagato said:

Poundland's parent, Steinhoff, has announced a significant accounting fraud. Poundland seems ok but may be on the block to be sold.

Did they have the firm down on the group accounts as £1.50land?

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

I quite like Poundland (mainly for USB cables, random tools and LED bulbs), but recently they don't have the genuine bargains like they used to have. A lot of the things are £2 or more. I get the feeling it's losing its way, but I may be wrong.

[Funkycoldribena]

Dr Doofenshmirtz said:

I quite like Poundland (mainly for USB cables, random tools and LED bulbs), but recently they don't have the genuine bargains like they used to have. A lot of the things are £2 or more. I get the feeling it's losing its way, but I may be wrong.

Nope,you're right.
Its no longer really a pound shop,more and more stuff in the 2 to 5 quid range.

[AppleJuice]

captain_cynic said:

Maplin would be my call as well. Whenever I need a PC part right away (usually a cable or something I forgot to order, last time it was a Molex to SATA power cable) I could usually get it from Currys cheaper and faster... or I'd just wait 24 hours for Amazon's next day service.

7 Day Shop might be worth a look for PC parts - 1-2 day delivery available.

[captain_cynic]

AppleJuice said:

7 Day Shop might be worth a look for PC parts - 1-2 day delivery available.

I usually use PC Part Picker for items I don't need urgently. They're pretty good for finding a good price on parts from a variety of online stores.

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/

[Willy Nilly]

I wonder why Southend High Street is on its arse?

http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/15823336.One_hour_...

[mouseymousey]

Willy Nilly said:

I wonder why Southend High Street is on its arse?

http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/15823336.One_hour_...

Insane. Another blow to high street retailers.

[craigjm]

Carpetright looks like it might be in trouble

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42744504

[Nickbrapp]

craigjm said:

Carpetright looks like it might be in trouble

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42744504

Would surprise me, I know carpets and stuff aren’t a regular purchase for many people but carpet right are a bit of a niche in the market, the only big shed name I can think of
Offering 0% finance on flooring. They will obliviously have rivals from local firms and department stores etc but I would have thought they would still hold a big market share.

I thought they would be like B&q is and the first choice name for people not really in the know

[Hub]

Yes, but walk in their showroom and it feels like it hasn't changed in 30 years!

[Thankyou4calling]

Hub said:

Yes, but walk in their showroom and it feels like it hasn't changed in 30 years!

That’s true but how many ways are there to display carpet

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

craigjm said:

Carpetright looks like it might be in trouble

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42744504

They made £2m profit. OK. not £14m but it's the right side

[menousername]

Hub said:

Yes, but walk in their showroom and it feels like the carpet hasn't changed in 30 years!

EFA