Lakeland considering selling up

My nearest one closed a few years ago.
I took it then, that that was not a good sign.

I also personally think, they used to come up with new ideas.
I did wonder how long they could manage to keep that up.

Oh I do hope they survive, it’s my favourite store.

Yes GG, they are in talks, but seventeen of their shops will close this year. I’ll be sorry to see them go because I do shop in Smiths sometimes. I like Lakeland too, but rarely shop there as there isn’t a local one. We do have a local Smiths though.

Once the new scanners are installed and working at all our airports, and people are allowed to take liquids through and therefore not buying as many drinks in the airport, I wonder how long Smiths will last at airports too.

WH Smith went off the boil years ago. Their High Street shops always seem grubby and down at heel, and they don't seem to know what they want to be.

The upselling at the till annoys everyone - who goes in to buy printer paper and wants a Chocolate Orange? - and they don't do things like sandwiches or toys very well. I suppose they won't get the turnover on newspapers and magazines that they used to, as people read more online. They will be a miss in towns that don't have a lot of shops though, as some items are better than none, even if the range is limited and the prices high. If you can pop into a local store to get something it could well be more convenient than having to go further afield, but I think they tried to spread themselves too thinly.

We don't have a local Lakeland, but I do go to the city centre one when I'm there, and often order online. I love getting vouchers for Lakeland as presents, as they give me an excuse to buy things I don't really need but enjoy - the essence of a good present, IMO.

maddyone

I’ve just seen Smiths has sold up too.
Seventeen stores will close this year, presumably others will follow next year. However, their outlets at stations and airports will remain as they are the most profitable. That doesn’t surprise me since anyone who has been unable to take a bottle of water through security at an airport will know that they charge a premium price for drinks at airports. Not surprisingly, these branches are profitable.

W H Smith haven’t sold up yet.

They are in talks to sell off the High Street branch of its business. They have approximately 500 on our High Streets with approximately 5,000 employees.

A further nail in the coffin of our towns and cities.

In fact, according to Sky, they are still in negotiations to be bought.

Lots of stores were closing before they were sold.

I was talking to a training manager from Lakeland this morning (friend of a friend). She travels all over Britain setting up new stores/training staff & systems. Told me the one in the Trafford Centre closed because of high rent. Said thats why garden centre outlets work better, profit wise. Apparently one in Inverness is relocating into a garden centre in March. She’ll be up there next week doing what she does!

I’ve just seen Smiths has sold up too.
Seventeen stores will close this year, presumably others will follow next year. However, their outlets at stations and airports will remain as they are the most profitable. That doesn’t surprise me since anyone who has been unable to take a bottle of water through security at an airport will know that they charge a premium price for drinks at airports. Not surprisingly, these branches are profitable.

Boz

They are a very good Company and I do not find the expensive; you get what you pay for. I shall be sorry to see them change.

I agree, Boz

Our nearest Lakeland is moving out of a town centre shopping centre and opening a concession outlet in one of our local garden centres which I think is a good move. It does not do really well in the centre but the garden centre is privately owned and very expensive (I very rarely vist!!) and it is always extremely busy in all departments - restaurant, garden plants, garden furniture, clothes, etc.

They are a very good Company and I do not find the expensive; you get what you pay for. I shall be sorry to see them change.

Oh dear, yesterday I ordered a soup maker from them. It has a three year warranty, which now probably won't be any good.

That's a shame. I, too, love the shop and buy from there when my budget allows.

The one nearest to me is too big in some areas, over 3 floors must cost a lot to the rent on a unit that size.

Agree expensive vs Amazon or even ProCook.
Shame though.

Well it doesn’t bode well for the local one that opened just before Christmas does it?
I wonder why they went to all that expense.

Ah!
www.lakeland.co.uk/42678/pruneaux-dagen-fourres-prunes-with-cream-450g

I've just stocked up on the hanging plastic bags. To be on the safe side.

Ours in the Trafford Centre has just closed its doors permanently. Suggests ‘shop online or go to Handforth or the huge garden centre outlet they have in Warrington’. No thanks. I liked the store locally but can manage without it. I’m away to look up those tins of prunes LLFL I’m intrigued!

I use Lakeland for most kitchen and cleaning bits.

We have two reasonably close, stores always clean, staff knowledgeable and helpful.

It’s been owned by the same family for 60 years, if it is sold I hope it continues in the same way.

We have access to a few round here. Apart from the one mentioned by J52, they are in a couple of garden centres and they have a store in Nottingham which has been there for years.

I agree that their staff are really good and the quality of their offering is really good.

I regularly use their foil and hanging plastic bags.

I love the shop but agree it is so expensive...

It’s the only place other than Fortnum’s that sell OH’s favourite prunes stuffed with prunes!

Lakeland is a fabulous shop, staff is wonderful and knowledgeable.
I always enjoy a wander around their flagship store in Windermere.
We have a small branch in a local market town that I use occasionally, I have to have have their “ good with everything salt”.
I’m wondering if I should stock up.

I would be sad, but, like a lot of companies, instead of sticking to what they are good at, they have increased their range too much. Remember the “banana tree”, yet another thing one never knew one wanted/needed!