Mothercare Next To Go?

[youngmafbog]

Not looking good and they are very expensive.

https://news.sky.com/story/mothercare-shares-slump-after-profits-warning-11199937

[Buenchico]

Hmmm.

Looking back through my past posts, I see that I predicted the downfall of Mothercare in 2016
https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/News/Question1496066-2.html
and before that in 2012
https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/ChatterBank/Question1197016.html

Perhaps I should get a job in retail analysis?

Seriously though, anyone who's simply walked past their shops (looking inside to see deserted aisles) over the past couple of decades could have told you that the future was looking gloomy for them. Their prices are way above what parents can pay for clothes in, say, Asda and non-clothing items can be bought far more cheaply online.

At the same time though, they've not positioned their stores at the very top end of the market (serving those parents who think nothing of spending hundreds of pounds on clothing their babies), as stores like Mamas and Papas (who make Mothercare look cheap) seem to have done.

[pixie374]

They are very expensive. Our local one was turned into T.K.Maxx a few years ago.

[douglas9401]

People aren't daft, they know the stuff on sale in Mothercare will be made in the same far eastern factories as that which is on sale in supermarkets and bargain stores the length and breadth of the country.
If the company chooses to believe that they're a special case and customers will willingly pay over the odds for similar products available elsewhere then they're stupid and they deserve to fail.
Economic reality is what it is.

[bednobs]

well as they are still going, six years after yur predicion, chris perhaps you should stick to the day job.
I think debenhams are looking ropey

[Buenchico]

>>> I think debenhams are looking ropey

Profits down 44%
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41760409

Lousy Christmas trade
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42563593

I went into Debenhams in Ipswich just before Christmas (when most shops were packed). My main reason for going in was to use the loo but I did buy a coffee there. There cafe was deserted and the rest of the store wasn't much busier. I glanced at some of their toy prices, which were as dear as, or even dearer than, Toys R Us were charging. The other stuff I noticed as I was passing all seemed to be on offer at ridiculously high prices (but of no better quality than elsewhere).

I predicted their possible demise in my 2016 post and my view hasn't changed.

[Cloverjo]

I also predict the demise of Debenhams. I went in there in the summer to use the loo, and had a quick wander around. There was no one in there, and the clothes were things like you used to see in the windows of BHS and Littlewoods.

[Cloverjo]

Mothercare always looked like it didn't know who to aim for, as has already been said. I can't see anything changing. Adams had similar stuff and was a bit cheaper, but even they went bust.

[ummmm]

Mothercare was just a bog standard sized shop in our town centre so they never stocked enough of anything. Everything was limited to the size of the store. They were too pre internet day.

[youngmafbog]

Doent look good for either company.

With the rise of online sales it is really showing those who are good at the game and the also rans.