MOTHERCARE is the latest fatality of the high street and is set to close all of its 79 shops in the UK, putting 2,500 jobs at risk.
But the well-known shop is in talks with shareholders in a desperate bid to keep the brand alive. Here’s what we know so far.
When will Mothercare stores close?
The parent and baby brand has already closed 55 stores over the past year in the UK to keep the business afloat.
The company called in administrators from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on Tuesday, November 5.
Zelf Hussain, joint administrator and PwC partner, said the closures would begin over the coming “weeks and months”.
He added: “This is a sad moment for a well-known high street name.
“No one is immune from the challenging conditions faced by the UK retail sector.”
Will there be a sale?
The store has slashed prices across all ranges by up to 60 per cent in a closing down sale where everything must go.
Administrators, PWC, announced yesterday that stores are also no longer accepting refunds.
The retailer has now cut prices in a bid to shift stock before all stores draw the shutters for the last time.
Discounts can be found across a number of products such as prams, pushchairs, car seats, baby clothes, maternity clothes and nursery furniture.
Shoppers can get the deals online as long as the website is running, although you may find better prices in store.
For example, online you can buy a Mothercare Milan Highback Booster car seat for £20, reduced from £50.
You can also get £195 off the Bloomsbury changing unit, which now costs £285 down from £480.
Stock levels are high, according to the brand, but you might not want to hang around because once the bargains have been snapped up they won’t be replaced.
How many Mothercare stores will close?
Mothercare’s remaining 79 UK stores will all close.
The group has more than 1,000 stores internationally.
The administration does not include the company’s overseas operations.
Why is Mothercare closing?
According to Mr Hussain the demise of Mothercare was due to “increasing cost pressures and changes in consumer spending”.
He said that it is the company’s focus to help employees and keep the stores trading for as long as possible.
The brand is holding last-ditch talks with potential partners and has so far raised £3.2m from shareholders.
Mothercare filed a noticed to appoint administrators for the UK division on Monday, November 4.
But it may not be the end for Mothercare.
The group said on November 5 that it is looking at options which could include finding a partner to keep the brand online, or a supermarket that has space to sell Mothercare products.
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