When Mothercare make this year’s surprise announcement that it had to shut down more than 100 of its existing stores that only strong love of crowd Mumsnet you imagine will be among the most loyal buyers.
On the contrary, a member of the middle class parenting site logon complained that high street retailers veteran is “too expensive” for children’s clothing is not better than Tesco and Asda and who is not a spark of the store with stardust Myleene Klass, the range is “chavvy”. The most damning comment from one mother who complained that Alley as well as full of “nonsense and the box” to get a stroller onto them.
Last week’s bloodletting continued with the announcement that Ben Gordon, Chief Executive of eight years, left by “mutual consent” as he paid the price for the sales performance of disasters that have been close to £ 400 m from the market value of the company this year. The plague Memorial benefit have seen stock lost two-thirds of their value, hitting a high of December 639 p to finish the week at only 208 p.
Gordon’s departure comes on the heels of the arrival of new Chairman Alan Parker, fresh from operator that is difficult to push through a massive restructuring at your leisure conglomerate Whitbread. The prospect of a radical new approach has led to speculation that it might do the Mothercare unforeseeable and stop United Kingdom altogether to concentrate on business franchise, which Gordon was launched for 55 countries. Analysts estimate the closing all 373 UK stores, will cost £ 100 m but leaving the global company worth £ 400 m, more than double the current capitalization of Mothercare.
Arden partners Analyst Nick Bubb holds optimistic view of such a scenario taking international Empire value Mothercare. He thought the United Kingdom can be saved, but time is against it as the backlash hours down to what promises to be a brutal Christmas trading period.