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Taking Shape Australia
closes Shops
BACK in 2013 the company had 130 stores
in Australia and New Zealand and was launching 30 High Street shops in the UK,
as sales for plus size fashion clothes ranges grew. But now they are pulling out
of the UK high streets and just going online. The Australia firm who has a
tagline:- "We're not afraid of colour, bold prints or getting dressed up"
it appears, could not use its "little bit of Aussie attitude" to
keep its high street retail going. The Lord Street, Southport retail shop was
one of the firm’s shops that opened back in 2013, selling their line of plus
size clothing in sizes 14-26, but it is now about to close. A statement in the
window of the Southport Shop says:- "It is with great sadness, that we
have made this decision to withdraw Taking Shape's retail presence in the United
Kingdom. This was a business decision that was not taken lightly and over the
course of coming weeks we will commence exiting from our store portfolio. Taking
shape will however, still be available online to service its valued customer
base in the UK and EU, via:- TakingShape.com We are thankful to all our
customers who took a little company from Australia, into their heart and their
wardrobe. We have enjoyed helping you celebrate your curves for the past 2 and a
half years."
This pulling out of UK is seen as mostly down to the poor store trading, thanks
to a growing internet savvy client based. But it is also down to the ever
growing costs UK shops are being forced to pay, from huge rents and wage bills,
to ridiculous demands to comply with more and more red tape. Whereas internet
based firms often have less issues and costs to deal with. This again is a major
blow to our high streets, not just in Southport, but throughout the UK. "I
think everyone was shell shocked. This is really upsetting for all the lovely
Taking Shape store staff." a member of staff who did not want to be
named told us. So what are your views on this retailer specialising in
‘fuller figured fashion’ changing its business profile? Please email us
to:-
News24@SouthportReporter.com with your views... Also are you affected
by the closure of the stores? Will our high streets become just place to meet
for coffee and to eat out in? What are your views on the future of our high
streets? Interestingly on 27 May 2016, the company’s
website had major problems. “The
unprecedented volume of traffic on our website has created some delays”
a notice on Facebook read.
So just how important is it to buy in a shop and is it better than buying
online? We would love your views on this as well! |
