An update on the DE shoe shop situation comes in the form of a press release from the parent company William Smith (Shoe Merchants) Ltd. Obviously the search for internal solutions has failed and the news is not good. Despite this there is some cause for optimism expressed in the press release. Let's hope that someone will take on the shoe shop in Nairn (the last remaining shoe shop in town). Here's the press release:
For Sale boards are now appearing on the branches of troubled shoe retailers, DE Shoes and Foot Factory. This follows the announcement on 4th January 2013 by their Dundee based parent company, William Smith (Shoe Merchants) Ltd, that it was consulting with staff at its 31 outlets across Scotland concerning the future of the business.
Managing Director, Robert Sinclair, has explained;
‘The 90 day consultation process continues before any final decision can be made. However, throughout this consultation period the Company is continuing to market either the whole business or individual branches as going concerns. We see this as the best way to avoid or reduce the need to make redundancies.
‘Since the news about the difficulties facing our shoe shops was first announced, footfall in the branches has increased significantly. Many people have said that they do not want to lose the shoe shop that has served generations of the same family. This is now a great opportunity for someone to come forward and take over their local shoe shop. I am keen to talk to anyone interested and provide more information. On going support may even be available to anyone taking on a branch.’
Graham and Sibbald have been appointed selling agents for the Company’s property portfolio. The primary contact is Andrew Dandie in their Dundee office, 01382 200064 or through local offices.
The properties for sale are in DE Shoes in Banff, Buckie, Blairgowrie, Castle Douglas, Crieff, Cupar, Cowdenbeath, Dumfries, Dingwall, Fort William, Forres, Inverness (High Street and Academy Street), Invergordon, Keith, Nairn, Newton Stewart, Oban, St Andrews, Stonehaven, Stranraer, Thurso and Wick; and Foot Factory in Aberdeen, Dundee (Lochee and Broughty Ferry).
Managing Director, Robert Sinclair, has explained;
‘The 90 day consultation process continues before any final decision can be made. However, throughout this consultation period the Company is continuing to market either the whole business or individual branches as going concerns. We see this as the best way to avoid or reduce the need to make redundancies.
‘Since the news about the difficulties facing our shoe shops was first announced, footfall in the branches has increased significantly. Many people have said that they do not want to lose the shoe shop that has served generations of the same family. This is now a great opportunity for someone to come forward and take over their local shoe shop. I am keen to talk to anyone interested and provide more information. On going support may even be available to anyone taking on a branch.’
Graham and Sibbald have been appointed selling agents for the Company’s property portfolio. The primary contact is Andrew Dandie in their Dundee office, 01382 200064 or through local offices.
The properties for sale are in DE Shoes in Banff, Buckie, Blairgowrie, Castle Douglas, Crieff, Cupar, Cowdenbeath, Dumfries, Dingwall, Fort William, Forres, Inverness (High Street and Academy Street), Invergordon, Keith, Nairn, Newton Stewart, Oban, St Andrews, Stonehaven, Stranraer, Thurso and Wick; and Foot Factory in Aberdeen, Dundee (Lochee and Broughty Ferry).
2 comments:
There are so many possible closures in our High St with shops either being vacated or up for sale. Our High St has held up bravely but I'm afraid we're likely to to see empty shops over the next few months with no new enterprises wishing to try retailing on the High Street
We have had an anon comment which we have decided to edit. On the demise of DE one of our readers is of the opinion: “The main reason for the sorry state of affairs is the failure to keep up to date with the current trends and offer the customer a product that they will buy locally and not need to buy online. I have been a customer over the years and nothing seems to change, especially in terms of fashion.”
Our correspondent, from an accountancy background, then suggests that information about the company on Duedil.com would be helpful to anyone observing the situation and forming an overall opinion on the DE shoes situation.
Post a Comment