Woolies, Comet, Game, HMV, Blockbusters....

[WabbitPoo]

Can't see Wickes folding, they aren't threatened by the Internet.

But they're rubbish, cold, dirty and always empty

or is that just the Nottingham one?

 

[WabbitPoo]

Come to think of it, why do we need a "high street" anyway? Just flatten the lot and build all these houses we are told we in desperate need of......

 

[joe-90]

Can't see Wickes folding, they aren't threatened by the Internet.

But they're rubbish, cold, dirty and always empty

or is that just the Nottingham one?

They usually have what you want in stock - not like B&Q. Dunno why they don't do a Wickes-fix like Screwfix.

 

[kjacko]

Can't see Wickes folding, they aren't threatened by the Internet.

But they're rubbish, cold, dirty and always empty

or is that just the Nottingham one?

Lol, which Nottingham one? The Riverside one? There's a little old fella who almost sustains that place on his own. Very polite, very knowledgeable. Ask anyone for advice in there and they all point to him.
I also use the Bulwell one.

Within a mile of the Riverside Wickes, there is:
Homebase, Toolstation, B&Q and Screwfix.

 

[chainsaw_masochist]

Let's play the game of

Who's Next?

I think Wickes and Homebase must be on borrowed time. Any other ideas?

I share your bemusement at Homebase's ability to remain viable. Lots of stores; my one is usually empty during the week but can always be guaranteed never to have what I require. The Wickes stores in this area of North West London are generally OK and are pretty keen on price unlike their parent company, TP. TP, though, do generally seem busy and getting served always seems to take an age, not least because only one or two of the dozen staff are dealing with the queue of customers. The rest gainfully occupied with their @rses in chairs gazing at monitors.

I guess with most of these places, though, that as they are usually on industrial estates where the rents and business rates are pretty affordable.

 

[dhutch]

I have to admit, while I find it sad to think of all these chains going under, when I think about 'when was the last time i used...' im not supprised. I last bought a CD in HMV back in 2008, and only because I had a voucher.

I think Wickes and Homebase must be on borrowed time.

Wickes do a good line in well placed trade products/prices, they are for instance the only national DIY chain who can supply you 10 sheets of 8x4 plasterboard at a price thats competative with our local builders merchant.

Homebase however, I was only saying the same as I drove past one yesterday, I dont know anyone who goes into them. That said, they have been around a long time, and having left saisburys are now owned by the same group as Argo et al who appear to have a canny ability to make money.


Daniel

 

[Bahco]

My missus reckons Wilko will be next as their products are overpriced poor qualty rubbish.

 

[joe-90]

They are way expensive to what they were but their shops are still busy.

 

[RigidRaider]

Wilkos are clean and bright and friendly and all those nick-nacks that you need are in one place in the High Street, which is handy if you're unsteady on your feet.

HMV stores on the other hand smelled bad and had filthy grey needlecord carpet repaired with gaffer tape. Why didn't they start selling music on MP3 files that customers could download to their MP3 players? Branson saw the writing on the wall and sold Virgin music in 1992.

Boots have had a go at embracing digital technology with their low-investment photo printing machines, bless 'em.

 

[Whitespirit66]

Can't see Wickes folding, they aren't threatened by the Internet.

In some ways they are. I can get a selection of different plumbing fittings ordered online and delivered quickly from the likes of Screwfix, BES, Pulsar Direct, etc. All for a lot less than schlepping down to my local Wickes.

Some things they have are priced competitively, but plumbing fittings are a joke. Tumble weeds blow through the plumbing aisles at my local Wickes. Years ago, they were busier in all depts, but Screwfix, Tool Station, and to some extent Been & Queued who have raised their game, have overtaken them.

Never say never. Remember UBM?

 

[Whitespirit66]

Can't see Wickes folding, they aren't threatened by the Internet.

But they're rubbish, cold, dirty and always empty

or is that just the Nottingham one?

No, Bristol's the same. More staff than customers. Used to be busy years ago, but others offer a better range. Some of their prices are a joke.

 

[AronSearle]

There will always be a need for home-base/wicks/B&Q.

To many DIY jobs or trade jobs where you want to go buy the goods NOW, or where you want to select what you want, and pick up a few other bits.

But In my area (as in 5 minutes apart by car) there are...

2x home-base
1x wicks
2x B&Q

some of them are gonna fail.

 

[longdogs]

I don't think Blockbuster have done much to help themselves really. Everytime I go into my local one they have changed the display around so you can't find anything and they still insist on calling films made in 2007 'New Releases'. What carp. In their 'previously owned' section, dvds are stuffed in a box at random and it would take you all day to find what you wanted - compared to amazon where you simply type in the title and up it pops.

 

[Nige F]

, we are being subdued by this technology and will as a race, soon lose the ability to think for ourselves.

Wotan

I think - therefore I spam

 

[EddieM]

Any bricks 'n' mortar company that provides services that can be delivered digitally has got to be worried.