The Retail Apocalypse (Incorporating Casual Dining Closures)

Vermilion wrote:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-55884596

Looks like a repeat of what happened to Debenhams.

With all those brands, it'll probably end up being similar to Very/Littlewoods - which are almost exactly the same website, stocking almost exactly the same items...just at different prices (Littlewoods tends to be the more expensive of the two in my limited experience).

Within a few years they'll then ask themselves what they need all these overlapping website brands for and then 'merge' them (just like GAME, EB, GameStation and Gameplay did in the videogames sector).

twitter.com/guardian/status/1371515507745165314

I've regularly picked up selection boxes as gifts from there.

My mum worked for them for around 20 years before being made redundant. They've been winding down for years especially after Ferrero bought them out, closing shops when their leases are over and selling stuff in supermarkets and online instead. I never realised they still had that many stores open.

There's a shop in town here which has a Thorntons concession, i assume that will continue.

I like the Thornton's shop but they have been replaced by Lindor shops and Hotel Chocolat for quality chocolate gifts.

Best thing about the Thornton's shop was the smell from the chocolate fountain.

Thorntons Ice Cream used to be top-tier but it went downhill a while back.

You might be able to buy their ice cream in supermarkets if it's any cone-solation

Never been the same since they stopped doing the strawberry pigs. Their chocolate was average at best though, surprised they hung on so long. Like a card shop reserved for buying gifts for special occasions for people that aren't worth the Hotel Chocolat pricetag.

Lagamorph wrote:Thorntons Ice Cream used to be top-tier but it went downhill a while back.

Yep, about 10 years ago it was the best place to go for ice cream outside of indie places.

There's loads of dessert places about now to cater to people who don't drink alcohol, so I've not been in years.

Most of the Thorntons have closed near me for years now, the chocolate has been rubbish for the past few years tbh.

Their Viennese truffles were the tits, but I never really went in apart from the day after Valentine's/Easter for the discounted stuff.

Chocolate-Milk wrote:Their Viennese truffles were the tits, but I never really went in apart from the day after Valentine's/Easter for the discounted stuff.

They were strawberry floating delicious, the champagne truffles were great too.

Always been a big fan of their fancy Easter eggs.

John Lewis Has announced they're closing several stores one of them is the big one in Peterborough, massive hit for the City Center and a huge shop gone in Queensgate.

The world is going to be a significantly different place when lockdown finally eases - the idea of going "back to normal" is nonsense as many of the businesses that were on our high streets (and our need to go to even go to high streets so frequently) are just not going to be there.

Yep. City centres are going to lose a lot of footfall meaning these high street stores aren't going to be viable, especially at the cost they pay to be there.

Last edited by Lex-Man on Wed Mar 24, 2021 7:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Jenuall wrote:The world is going to be a significantly different place when lockdown finally eases - the idea of going "back to normal" is nonsense as many of the businesses that were on our high streets (and our need to go to even go to high streets so frequently) are just not going to be there.

By back to normal they probably mean moving back to a more hunter gatherer mode of life.

It's the experiences and the memories associated with these bricks and mortar retailers/restaurants that I look back fondly on and will/do miss.

I suppose I ought to use the £100 John Lewis credit I got from buying my TV before they announce they've gone into receivership.

Ironhide wrote:I suppose I ought to use the £100 John Lewis credit I got from buying my TV before they announce they've gone into receivership.

I think everyone should be using any vouchers they have for any shop quick as they can

I don't know if this belongs here but Nationwide are going to let their staff work anywhere they want.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56510574

Nationwide is to allow 13,000 office staff to choose where they work under a new flexibility scheme.

The UK's biggest building society said its "work anywhere" plan would allow employees more control of their lives.

Under the plan, Nationwide is closing three offices in Swindon, with 3,000 staff either moving to the nearby HQ, working from home, or mixing the two.

Other UK staff may be able to work from their local High Street branch if they prefer, rather than travel to offices.

In a Nationwide survey of staff, 57% said they wanted to work from home full-time after lockdown ends. More than a third - 36% - said they preferred a mix of home and office-based work.

Joe Garner, chief executive of Nationwide, said: "The last year has taught many of us that 'how' we do our jobs is much more important than 'where' we do them from.

The Retail Apocalypse (Incorporating Casual Dining Closures)

Who is online

Affiliates