High-street Death List

Okay so all those look like good shorts. (I do have a funny feeling that Marks and Spencer will pull it around).

So... Is there ANY British share company that may do well apart from BP (Oil), Astra Zen (Drugs). Actually forget them. Is there any high st store that is likely to do well?

I did very well out of Next PLC, in its good years. I have not been checking it out recently, but its policy was always organic growth and no debt. I expect that it will suffer, along with all the other high street stores but, as a survivor, I expect it will be there with all the new names that are around ten years from now.

Of course, directors retire or die, eventually, company policy changes and they do say that no business lasts 100 years. Some have, though. Ask Warren Buffet.

Split
 
I did very well out of Next PLC, in its good years. I have not been checking it out recently, but its policy was always organic growth and no debt. I expect that it will suffer, along with all the other high street stores but, as a survivor, I expect it will be there with all the new names that are around ten years from now.


Split

With a share price over £10, Next has to be on the hit list for shorters, even if it's unlikely to go bust. Their big out of town stores often look deserted. Let's see what happens when all the sales figures appear soon.
Going global, what's going to happen to Harley-Davidson when no-one has money to buy big boys' toys? Already down by 60% or so, but it might follow the US car industry down the pan.
 
Damned if I can remember if Tesco existed, then. I remember Woolies, M&S, BHS, Boots, Sainsbury's, Cullens, Co-op, Burtons, WH Smith must have been there, too, but can't remember them in the war. Anyone remember The Fifty Shilling Tailors? There was a famous bike store, too, but the name escapes me.

Oh, and I must mention old May. He had a shop on the corner and sold toffee apples...

Split

May amalgamated with Bryant and went into the arson supply business competing with Swan Vesta.

It's the coming version of a Fire Sale.........
 
Most of the sports chains have already gone.....what about Zavvi or HMV? Who buys music/DVD's any more? You can pick up the exotic stuff on-line, and get the mainstream stuff in Tesco miles cheaper

Well I said this on Christmas Eve morning - and Zavvi went into administration that afternoon..... does that make me awesome? :smart:
 
Well I said this on Christmas Eve morning - and Zavvi went into administration that afternoon..... does that make me awesome? :smart:

I was only trying to start an interesting thread, not prove that psychic powers really do exist :)
 
Because of Adams?

What goes round comes round... Millions of babies and toddlers will have to do with hand me downs instead of twinkling new gear... :(

All businesses & people will have to sweat what assets they have more than ever before. Mothercare looked shaky couple of years ago. I think they will be impacted no less than any other retail outlet.

Entry Order @ 324
1st Target @ 270

We'll see how it goes :sleep:
 
email greetings

Clinton Cards
Topps Tiles

Clinton cards for sure I'd say. I always thought sending expensive paper cards in this 'eco' friendly era seems out dated and such a bad waste.

Topps Tiles looks well exposed. Can it soldier another year?

I do think as a number of high street outlets go to the wall with rising unemployment reverberating across the economy it's going to be a bloody mess out there. :-0
 
Adams was a funny one. I have a 2-year-old little girl whom I love nothing more than embellishing with cute clothes, and yet I've never bought her anything from there - I don't even think of going in there these days.
Mothercare is overpriced, but still the only place you can really look at a decent selection of stuff and get to try it. ToysRUs is OK for it, but not as broad a range. I expect it to stay, but it certainly will get squeezed owing to it's prices.
 
Topps Tiles looks well exposed. Can it soldier another year?

Perhaps these things don't matter, or perhaps it is just my local branch' but the customer service in Topps Tiles is always amazing. Their staff normally look like they are there as an alternative to prison but they are helpful, knowledgeable and will bust a gut even if you just want one tile to replace one that cracked.

Actually thinking about it, perhaps that kind of service is a symptom of desparation not success. If they get made redundant then I am sure the spread-betting helpdesks would give them a job :)


Ben
 
Quick question re shorting

If you short sell a share with a CFD for example, then if the shorted company goes into administration and the shares are suspended can you close your position at zero (if you cannot buy the shares back to close your position how do you realize your profit ?) would you need to close your position whilst the shares were at a low ?(but before the company goes completely bust). Does this question make sense - it is my first posting.
 
You are all wrong with Thorntons! They make great chocolates. In a recession people need cheering up and Thorntons Chocs give you a little treat. They need to sort out their staff and waiting times though.

How about Dreams (Beds) need a lot of space to store and people dont but one every year!

DFS please go! They have a permanent Sale on and their sofas are clogging up the landfill sites!

Debenhams In trouble. one stock I wouldnt buy (and I bought Woolworths!)

DFG Dixons Currys. Everyone goes there to look at the TVs then buy for less on the Internet.

HMV Agreed, who buys CD and DVD ion the high street now.

Millets. Who buys anything from them?

Moss Bros a long shot too!
 
You are all wrong with Thorntons! They make great chocolates. In a recession people need cheering up and Thorntons Chocs give you a little treat. They need to sort out their staff and waiting times though.


Moss Bros a long shot too!

I disagree with these two: Thorntons sweets are about as tasty as McDonalds burgers - i.e. they taste of dust! Very over-rated.

I also headr Moss Bros were doing well out of the credit crunch since so many people were buying new suits for job interviews after being made redundant.
 
Hi Pound foolish,
You are all wrong with Thorntons! They make great chocolates.
Sorry, we'll have to agree to disagree on this one! I confess that I tend only to buy their misshapes from out of town outlet centres and they always disappoint. On the other hand, choc's that never disappoint are these:
Chocolate gifts, chocoalte hampers & luxury handmade chocolates from Theobroma Cacao the London chocolatier specialising in handmade chocolate gifts. We ship our luxury chocolates all over the UK.
In a recession people need cheering up and Thorntons Chocs give you a little treat.
Yeah, I agree with the principle which is why I said I think Majestic will survive ok (over on the wine thread). However, in the case of Thorntons I'm not so sure. I think peeps will just indulge in treats bought from the big supermarkets based purely on price, leaving Thorntons out in the cold. I agree with all the other retailers on your list though. I went shopping in Plymouth today and the the city centre was just a red sea of 'sale' posters.
Tim.
 
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