High St retailers will always struggle until property prices return to a reasonable level. The massive property price collapse which should have happened around 2008/9 would have seen the re-set button pressed and rental costs back to a manageable level. High St rents are just too high and retailers can't compete with internet sites.
It's not so much the rents, it's the rates. Rent levels in Hull are actually really low, in some cases the rates are now more than the rents.
I don't think people want to wander through a store to try and find the same item in 17 different places but with a different label on it.
Debenhams will obviously benefit from the demise of House of Fraser and I suspect Mike Ashley will launch a takeover before long, so it's far more likely to survive.
So a quick, cannibalised, buy-the-respected-brands and run them into the ground like Dunlop, Slazenger et al? I think Debenhams is one of those that owns most of its stores (like M&S) so has a bit more leeway with its cost structure(?)
They sold the stores and leased them back about fifteen years ago. No doubt if they owned Debenhams they put some of their own brands in there, but not everything they do is pile 'em big, sell 'em cheap, they do have a premium division that runs USC, Van Mildert, Flannels etc.
I can’t see Armani, Ralph Lauren, La Coste, All Saints, Lyle and Scott etc etc opening stores in Hull so the closure of H of F is not good, not good at all. It’ll just mean people who would come into Hull to buy those brands go to Leeds, Sheffield or York instead.
La Coste, Lyle & Scott & All Saints if that's the sort of tat it sells then no wonder it's closing. This isn't 2003 anymore.
I’ve only just heard of All Saints, too young for me, I’m fairly sure they’re seen as brand for the younger generation. You stick to Rodeo at C and A.
I agree with you, an empty high street bereft of life is great news... Were you boycotting House of Fraser or????
Let us know which brands you think they're missing... 7 For All Mankind Adicross Adidas Alexandre of England AllSaints Alpha Industries Antony Morato Armani Exchange Armani Jeans Aston & Gunn Barbour Baumler Ben Sherman Billabong Bjorn Borg Boardies Bugatti Bunker Mentality Callaway Calvin Klein Calvin Klein Golf Chester Barrie Corsivo Craghoppers Criminal Cutter and Buck Dead Legacy Diesel Double TWO Dwyers and Co EA7 Eden Park Element Emporio Armani Farah Fat Face Fred Perry French Connection Galvin Green GANT Gibson Glenmuir Gloverall G-Star Guess Happy Socks Havaianas Henri Lloyd Hom Howick Howick Tailored Hugo Hugo Boss Hunter Hymn Jack & Jones Jack Wolfskin Jaeger J Lindeberg J Lindeberg Golf Just Sheepskin Kenneth Cole Label Lab Lacoste Lambretta Lee Levi's Libertine Libertine Limehaus Linea Love Moschino Luke 1977 Lyle and Scott Mango Merc Michael Kors Minimum Moschino New & Lingwood Nicce Nike Nike Golf Noose and Monkey O'Neill Only & Sons Opposuits Original Penguin Oscar Jacobson Paul Costelloe Paul Smith Pepe Jeans Pierre Cardin Ping Polo Ralph Lauren Polo Ralph Lauren Golf Pretty Green Pringle PS By Paul Smith Puma Quiksilver Racing Green Raging Bull Religion Replay Richard James Mayfair RLX Ralph Lauren Scotch & Soda Scott & Taylor Selected Homme Simon Carter Skopes Sloggi Stromberg Superdry Ted Baker The North Face TM Lewin Tog 24 Tommy Hilfiger True Religion Turner & Sanderson UGG Under Armour Versace Jeans Vilebrequin Vivienne Westwood Whistles White Stuff Without Prejudice WP Wrangler
I think hes just full of **** ! Anybody that is satisfied with people losing their livelihood is a complete Dick head. Some of these people obviously will struggle to pay bills. And with the High Street disappearing will find it harder and harder to find long term employment in it.
