Is the High Street doomed

[Dogsauce]

Superdrug in Brixton has a pharmacist and dispenses prescriptions

Superdrug parent company also own Savers

I was going to say Savers is to Superdrug as Superdrug is to Boots, i.e. same stuff much cheaper. Hadn’t realised they were the same company, might explain why the Superdrug where I was living in Leeds became a Savers without me noticing Superdrug shutting down. Has a bit more of a Poundland vibe.

 

[Dogsauce]

Looking at the stores of late it is clear that there is a lot of deferred maintenance. Not too many more years, I suspect.

WHSmiths or Sainsbury’s? Kind of applies to both possibly, my local city centre big Sainsbury’s is a right toilet nowadays.

 

[skyscraper101]

Some bloke on LBC yesterday who runs a small business supplying ear drops said Boots are the worst for payment. Even worse since they were taken over by Walgreens. Apparently they have 105 days payment terms and they gave themselves a discount if they pay within that!

He fucked them off for Amazon and now gets paid on time and has seen significant growth in sales.

 

[Poi E]

WHSmiths or Sainsbury’s? Kind of applies to both possibly, my local city centre big Sainsbury’s is a right toilet nowadays.

Fair point. Many big chains places are looking right ropey. Walked out of the Sainsbury's in Addiscombe as the floor was so cracked and filthy.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Some bloke on LBC yesterday who runs a small business supplying ear drops said Boots are the worst for payment. Even worse since they were taken over by Walgreens. Apparently they have 105 days payment terms and they gave themselves a discount if they pay within that!

He fucked them off for Amazon and now gets paid on time and has seen significant growth in sales.

Companies that do that are scum and deserve to go under. It's no coincidence that Richer Sounds, Primark etc. are doing well, they treat their staff and suppliers with respect. All the companies that I deal with who do likewise seem to be successful too. That seems to be a fundamental of business that some folk has forgotten in their lust for pure short-term profit.

 

[Poi E]

I've worked with idiots in procurement always trying to squeeze the vendors, and when the shit hits the fan and extra help is needed they wonder why there's no latitude in the relationship.

 

[Artaxerxes]

Companies that do that are scum and deserve to go under. It's no coincidence that Richer Sounds, Primark etc. are doing well, they treat their staff and suppliers with respect. All the companies that I deal with who do likewise seem to be successful too. That seems to be a fundamental of business that some folk has forgotten in their lust for pure short-term profit.

Aren't Primark still getting things from dodgy slavish suppliers?

I'm genuinely curious because I've not heard much about that lately.

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

Aren't Primark still getting things from dodgy slavish suppliers?

I'm genuinely curious because I've not heard much about that lately.

All clothing operations seem to get their products from places like Bangladesh, even higher-end outfits such as Filson etc. Not heard any horror stories about Primark's suppliers for many years though, AFAIK most companies such as Primark are very keen to ensure that such practices are not reflected with their products.

 

[Artaxerxes]

All clothing operations seem to get their products from places like Bangladesh, even higher-end outfits such as Filson etc. Not heard any horror stories about Primark's suppliers for many years though, AFAIK most companies such as Primark are very keen to ensure that such practices are not reflected with their products.

Oh yeah they are all dodgy af, but given the prices and with Primark getting a lot of negativity about it when starting up years ago was curious about current state.

 

[hash tag]

Two more independent bookshops going. Such a shame Amazon blamed as 'iconic' bookshops announce closure

 

[A380]

Sad news, another part of our past gone:

‘I need to get something for my diarrhoea’

‘Have you tried Boots?’

‘Yes, but it runs out the lace holes.’

 

[Duncan2]

Oh yeah they are all dodgy af, but given the prices and with Primark getting a lot of negativity about it when starting up years ago was curious about current state.

imo what has changed is not the practices of the big clothing chains so much as the effort they put into cleansing their corporate image.Rather like the LGBT Marks and Spencer's sandwiches referred to on the Piers Morgan thread-a colossal amount is being spent on virtue-signalling of various kinds especially with regard to so-called sustainability.As if fast-fashion could ever make a worthwhile contribution to saving the planet.

 

[Cid]

All clothing operations seem to get their products from places like Bangladesh, even higher-end outfits such as Filson etc. Not heard any horror stories about Primark's suppliers for many years though, AFAIK most companies such as Primark are very keen to ensure that such practices are not reflected with their products.

Well, I mean the really bad one was only 6 years ago. It does have a list of factories on its website, so I suppose it would be possible to find them. They use suppliers who presumably also supply everyone else (well, except those companies that run their own factories or have more specific sourcing arrangements) so I doubt you're more or less ethical than buying from any other major company. But that model does allow them a degree of latitude in dismissing concerns around a specific supplier.

There will be people sitting there weighing up the publicity potential of signing up to a specific ethical agreement, or using a particular sourcing arrangement against their price point on the high street. Which is presumably why they don't pay the living wage, why their sourcing is kind of... semi-transparent. I imagine they do send people over to inspect the factories they use, but I doubt they're asking many questions about fair wages, ability to unionise, working hours.

It is what it is... We don't have much choice in where we buy our clothes. But the idea that Primark is somehow holding an ethical line, that they're doing things right. That's bollocks.

 

[Dogsauce]

I look forward to the ‘living museum’ of the future featuring a late 20th century high street, Woollies, HMV, C&A, Rumbelows, Blockbuster etc.

 

[Duncan2]

Well, I mean the really bad one was only 6 years ago. It does have a list of factories on its website, so I suppose it would be possible to find them. They use suppliers who presumably also supply everyone else (well, except those companies that run their own factories or have more specific sourcing arrangements) so I doubt you're more or less ethical than buying from any other major company. But that model does allow them a degree of latitude in dismissing concerns around a specific supplier.

There will be people sitting there weighing up the publicity potential of signing up to a specific ethical agreement, or using a particular sourcing arrangement against their price point on the high street. Which is presumably why they don't pay the living wage, why their sourcing is kind of... semi-transparent. I imagine they do send people over to inspect the factories they use, but I doubt they're asking many questions about fair wages, ability to unionise, working hours.

It is what it is... We don't have much choice in where we buy our clothes. But the idea that Primark is somehow holding an ethical line, that they're doing things right. That's bollocks.

Its worse than that surely?The reason they are all in Bangladesh,Cambodia and Vietnam is precisely in order to subcontract to desperate locals running gargantuan sweat-shops.The idea that these same corporations might institute an inspections-regime that actually improved the lot of the workers is for the birds.The whole idea is to be able to operate under the radar.When they can no longer bullshit their way around this situation the corporations will invest massively in automation again to avoid any obligation to the welfare of the seamstresses.Indeed I believe this process is already under-way in Bangladesh.

 

[Artaxerxes]

Its worse than that surely?The reason they are all in Bangladesh,Cambodia and Vietnam is precisely in order to subcontract to desperate locals running gargantuan sweat-shops.The idea that these same corporations might institute an inspections-regime that actually improved the lot of the workers is for the birds.The whole idea is to be able to operate under the radar.When they can no longer bullshit their way around this situation the corporations will invest massively in automation again to avoid any obligation to the welfare of the seamstresses.Indeed I believe this process is already under-way in Bangladesh.

Or move somewhere cheaper.

 

[not-bono-ever]

Sir Philip Green's rescue deal in balance

I do hope Green has set up complicated and argueably borderline legal structures to minimise the hit on his personal fortune.

 

[hash tag]

Landlords are turning down Phil's proposals and it's not looking good.
I gather alarm bells are now ringing at Ted Baker.

 

[cupid_stunt]

Rescue plan agreed, most shops & jobs saved.

Green secures rescue for Topshop empire

 

[hash tag]

48 shops to close and a thousand jobs lost, poor staff
I could see Ashley stepping in

 

[binka]

I've worked with idiots in procurement always trying to squeeze the vendors, and when the shit hits the fan and extra help is needed they wonder why there's no latitude in the relationship.

I supply half a dozen different big name online and high street retailers with fragrance and beauty products, when it gets to peak and all of a sudden I only have a finite supply of product available I often wonder if the ones I stop supplying in mid-October consider it might have something to do with their 90 days terms and 6% settlement discount... and whether they notice their rivals have stock well into December.

 

[hash tag]

It is a shame to see lots of people losing their jobs when the chains close down, but to see a tale of an old independent closing down
is especially sad 'Devastated' family to close 152-year-old DIY shop

 

[farmerbarleymow]

I didn't know this was still around as I've not seen a branch in many years - Spudulike has closed.

Spudulike closes all 37 outlets as high street downturn continues

 

[hash tag]

 

[Bahnhof Strasse]

That’s well shit when there is a parent company yet staff won’t be paid for the two weeks work they’ve done. Bet the administrators get paid tho.


But yeah, who knew Spudulike was still a thing anyway?

 

[farmerbarleymow]

But yeah, who knew Spudulike was still a thing anyway?

Yeah, just where are those mysterious 37 branches?

This site suggests the nearest one to me is in Stoke on Trent.

 

[Celyn]

Quite. I have no idea when I last saw a Spudulike.

(Am now recalling when I worked in a baked potato and pizza shop. It was called "Jack Tatties". No pretentious reference there, of course. )

 

[Proper Tidy]

Pretty sure there is (was) a spudulike in both chester (upper bridge street) and cardiff (st davids centre).

I love jackets, eat loads of them at home, jackets with salad and quiche/steak, jackets with chilli, jackets with cheese & beans. Fuck buying one out tho

 

[farmerbarleymow]

I have no idea when I last saw a Spudulike.

Same here - guess is must have been in the 1980s.

 

[Proper Tidy]

£6.60 for one baked potato with a dollop of (we all know it would be shit) chilli, nah