2013 unlucky for some closure predictions
- Thread starter gr9ce
- Start date
How about a chain of charity shops???? There must come a point where even charity shops cannot afford the rent and it is better to close.
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Nope, the do-gooders will chip in the keep the locusts of the High Street alive.
Now if you deducted pension from those working in charity shops who should be retired, then you may be onto something !
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Blockbusters have closed lots of stores over the past few years and can see them withdrawing from the UK in the next 12/24 months.
However they have had their day as when I worked there in the 90's buying new movies wasn't something the public could do, due to the very high cost (£60+), so rental was the only option and they made a lot from it.
Thesedays most people buy a copy of movies they want to see on the day of release, or rent via online services.
However they have had their day as when I worked there in the 90's buying new movies wasn't something the public could do, due to the very high cost (£60+), so rental was the only option and they made a lot from it.
Thesedays most people buy a copy of movies they want to see on the day of release, or rent via online services.
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Yeah Blockbusters surely have to be on their way out - they are running out of reasons why anyone would ever need them now!
Carpet Right are also on their last legs.
Carpet Right are also on their last legs.
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G
GRDCredit
Argos would be my bet - business model seems flawed to me. Michael McIntyre summed it up http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxnVP6BRUdM
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It has been flawed for 40 years though and has done OK!
That said I do agree that it is at-risk now online shopping has taken off so much. Why go in to a shop to buy a product you cannot inspect before purchase and have to carry it home when you can not inspect it from the comfort of your own home and not have to worry about getting it home.
We always laugh at their adverts trying to tell people that ordering online and picking up from the store is a great idea. One of the biggest reasons people order online is so that they don't have to go in to a store!
Sure you can pick it up the same day but as the likes of Amazon offer guaranteed next day delivery I don't think that is enough of an incentive.
Also if you do want home delivery from Argos it is way too expensive at the moment. Often their prices can compete with Amazon but the postage then costs another £5 or so against Amazons free delivery.
I can see Argos eventually becoming purely an online retailer without or with very limited high-street presence. I am not sure they will fold completely.
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S
ScottishSte
I wonder if anyone has done a comparison about say blockbusters demise against the rise of Netflix and LoveFilm. Do they employ as many as was let go?
Also HMV closing but then online music has gone through the roof, people also going to gigs is up and this must mean bar work, stewards, programmers etc etc. Ok its a different skill set from stacking shelfs and giving no advice to the customer apart from "Can't find it on the computer" like HMV staff used to do but still creates jobs.
As for jessops they have been replaced by those phone shops because everyone now takes pictures on mobiles and uses filter programmes to make them look arty and real photographers can buy equipment online.
Also HMV closing but then online music has gone through the roof, people also going to gigs is up and this must mean bar work, stewards, programmers etc etc. Ok its a different skill set from stacking shelfs and giving no advice to the customer apart from "Can't find it on the computer" like HMV staff used to do but still creates jobs.
As for jessops they have been replaced by those phone shops because everyone now takes pictures on mobiles and uses filter programmes to make them look arty and real photographers can buy equipment online.
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E
Esk247
I was reading about HMV last night and didn't realise it was such a massive global brand in the 80s and 90s.
Alas, they lost their way. Went in to selling everything rather than a specific product range. They should have stuck to offering CDs and associated music items but they decided to start selling everything from calendars to electronics..you can buy all those from any other big name brand, so they were no longer unique.
Blockbuster have got to go surely, how on earth are they even still open?
It will depend on companies debt levels and risk, some companies who are not making any money at the moment might still survive as long as the banks keep pumping money in.
Unfortunately for some, I think this year the banks will be tightening everything right up and they'll want their pound of flesh.
Alas, they lost their way. Went in to selling everything rather than a specific product range. They should have stuck to offering CDs and associated music items but they decided to start selling everything from calendars to electronics..you can buy all those from any other big name brand, so they were no longer unique.
Blockbuster have got to go surely, how on earth are they even still open?
It will depend on companies debt levels and risk, some companies who are not making any money at the moment might still survive as long as the banks keep pumping money in.
Unfortunately for some, I think this year the banks will be tightening everything right up and they'll want their pound of flesh.
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I'm sure Argos will be fine. They just have to improve their appalling website!
Click and collect is the way to go for retail. Other stores are now starting to do it - Argos are ahead of the game, after all, they've been doing reservations for years by phone, and now via apps/website, so they're ahead of the game.
The stores near me are all as close as you can get to the town centre main car parks, so no worries about lugging heavy stuff long distances.
Far better to choose online, click to reserve, and then pop into collect, rather than buying online and hoping it arrives when you're in to avoid the hassle of re-arranging or having to go to the sorting office to pick it up (that's if it doesn't get lost or damaged in the post).
I'd be VERY surprised if Argos go down the pan in 2013.
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Apparently, there are so many failing businesses that if even a small proportion of loans were called in, the banks themselves would be in danger from the crystalised losses on their balance sheets.
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One reason rents are stuck is that the property owners are bound by the borrowing covenants to have a rental income above a set % of the borrowings. If they bring rents down they get their loans called in by the banks.
The Banks themselves have to keep a proportion of assets liquid or get called in by the Bank of England, although probably pull the 'too big to fail' malarkey, and stroll on.
The Bank of England can't let too many Banks go awol, or print too much money, (quantitive easing) or the markets call them in, and borrowing rates for UK PLC go up.
If interest rates go up we have a couple of years until we are like Greece, but without the sunshine or weapons grade corruption.
So: my prediction for closure, but in 2016: UK PLC.
The Banks themselves have to keep a proportion of assets liquid or get called in by the Bank of England, although probably pull the 'too big to fail' malarkey, and stroll on.
The Bank of England can't let too many Banks go awol, or print too much money, (quantitive easing) or the markets call them in, and borrowing rates for UK PLC go up.
If interest rates go up we have a couple of years until we are like Greece, but without the sunshine or weapons grade corruption.
So: my prediction for closure, but in 2016: UK PLC.
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A
allsquare
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- Original Poster
- #20
Prizes to be awarded for the correct predictions include
Free film developing voucher from Jessops
Gift voucher from HMV
2 for 1 DVD hire from Blockbuster
50% off hosepipes or water butts from Homebase (depending on whether we are flooded or under drought orders again) Small print allows hosepipe discount only during drought period.
DFS 10% off (only valid during the tiny window when they do not have a Sale)
200 free shares in gift card/voucher production company (recent events have killed this practise dead)
Free film developing voucher from Jessops
Gift voucher from HMV
2 for 1 DVD hire from Blockbuster
50% off hosepipes or water butts from Homebase (depending on whether we are flooded or under drought orders again) Small print allows hosepipe discount only during drought period.
DFS 10% off (only valid during the tiny window when they do not have a Sale)
200 free shares in gift card/voucher production company (recent events have killed this practise dead)
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Ahead of the game ? nope, the game has changed. Amazon is already running same day delivery, within hours in select cities, trying to perfect the concept. Of course, you won't get the obscure 3 7/16 torque wrench in downtown Somerset in 20 minutes but fast moving goods will surely go this way of instant gratification.
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Dead as a dodo, just seeing out leases in many places. Brand is destroyed with nowhere to go. New product positioning does not lead itself to stand alone stores.
The clock is well and truly ticking on this one.
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Good call. Homebase have more parking for pick ups and cross selling by sticking the collection point at the farthest end of the store. Dump the retail stores as there is little tangibility there to lose.
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Crap store layout, crap website, seemingly crap stock selection make this a definite contender.
I can't see it being propped up by an army of nerds wanting the latest pv4.123superthingy they can get on the net for half the price.
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I seem to remember Blockbuster had great expansion plans 18 months ago.
I'm sorry but while their website stays illegal, my prediction stands.
Perhaps it's a bloke thing, it just seems to be a place men go while their wives are shopping elsewhere. Unless the staff start actively selling and helping (I do remember when they were just selling the really nerdy stuff, the staff really knew their stuff) they will sink.
I went in our local one last night - not a single thing I would allow in the house and I doubt they can survive keeping mens sheds equipped.
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'Illegal'? Explain
As an aside, predictions like that are just a simple win, win. If it doesn't happen, nothing's ever heard of it again. And if it does, even if it's in 20 years time, you come out with the old 'I told you so'.
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'Illegal'? Explain
As an aside, predictions like that are just a simple win, win. If it doesn't happen, nothing's ever heard of it again. And if it does, even if it's in 20 years time, you come out with the old 'I told you so'.
I'm only predicting for the year, as the original thread title.
As regards illegal - If these are there, they are very well hidden (mind you, their site does keep crashing on me)
if the website operator is a company, the website and any other web pages of the company should display details including:
registered company name
the part of the UK in which the company is registered
registered company number
registered office address
the fact that it is a limited company if it is:
a limited company which does not have to use limited as part of its
registered name, or
registered name, or
a community interest company which is not a public company
I would never buy from a website hiding behind a "contact us " form or email only.
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Mothercare in the UK are really finding life hard, but their international division is going a storm.
I love B&O but fear they have rested too long on their laurels
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Yes, UK. I think they will concentrate their efforts in the overseas markets and close the town centre shops as and when the leases become due for renewal. I think they have closed some ELCs already.
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Argos had a printer I wanted.
I had seen in elsewhere but went online to look for a better price.
Argos won hands down.
Then I read No Home Delivery in Store Collection Only.
How crazy is that - why offer the damn thing on line in the first place.
Stores need to wise up - a lot of people want to order from the arm chair.
They are losing out big time.
Wait to we get virtual online shopping where you will be able to see, taste and handle the goods before buying
Pops ~xx~
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Well Argos today reported growth in it's business.
"Argos has tapped into a rich seam of growth," said Neil Saunders of retail analysts Conlumino
And it would seem click and collect is the reason.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21057345
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