Store closures for 2009? [Merged]

Senna

A huge amount of border counties will see established and big shops close, unless they can take their prices down to compete with the North.

In Letterkenny, Currys sell a 42' Samsung plasma for €799, the exact same one costs €499(£499) in Derry, 20 minutes away. I dont know how a shop like this will last if they wont drop their prices.

Biggins

Senna wrote: »

A huge amount of border counties will see established and big shops close, unless they can take their prices down to compete with the North.

In Letterkenny, Currys sell a 42' Samsung plasma for €799, the exact same one costs €499(£499) in Derry, 20 minutes away. I dont know how a shop like this will last if they wont drop their prices.

When the times were better: A Logitech wireless keyboard in PcWorld was €59.00 - exact same in Harvey Normans up the road from me €135.00.
Now I know there is profit but they (and there is many like them) take the pee - this is exactly where people are and will continue to show protest at such price differences! By walking away from Harvey Normans.
Are we supposed to feel sorry then for the managing directors who are about to suffer a slight dent in their wallets if they close their stores? Nope.

We do feel for the ground staff that had to push the rip-off prices but in no way will many feel sorry to see any rip-off giants be closed after we walk away in greater numbers.

ejmaztec

I can see us poor people down here in Munster still getting shafted. The closer you get to the border, the more competitive the pricing will be. Unfortunately, us suckers will be subsidising the top half of the country.:(

The_Conductor

Senna wrote: »

A huge amount of border counties will see established and big shops close, unless they can take their prices down to compete with the North.

In Letterkenny, Currys sell a 42' Samsung plasma for €799, the exact same one costs €499(£499) in Derry, 20 minutes away. I dont know how a shop like this will last if they wont drop their prices.

It may once have been the case that the fallout would have been limited to the border counties- but no longer. If you look in the carparks in Newry, Eniskillen, Lisburn or Derry- the southern regs are no longer dominated by plates from the border counties- there are cars from literally everywhere there- and why not if there is a £300 saving on the one good that you have listed- there are savings like that across the board.

Even in these economically straightened times- a monthly run up to Sprucefield for groceries makes a hell of a lot of sense. A walk around Dunnes in Eniskillen, Sainsbury's in Lisburn etc- is enough to make people angry. Nappies are well under half the price, confectionary- under 1/3 the price- frozen goods more like 45% off etc.

While the focus might be on the big ticket items- like your 42" LCD panel, the real damage is that people from as far away as Kerry and Limerick are organising regular weekly and monthly runs for their ordinary groceries- and are going to continue to do so, until some semblence of normality returns to the retail sector here. There is going to be major bloodletting- and the Harvey Normans etc are only the thin edge of the wedge..........

The_Conductor

ejmaztec wrote: »

I can see us poor people down here in Munster still getting shafted. The closer you get to the border, the more competitive the pricing will be. Unfortunately, us suckers will be subsidising the top half of the country.:(

Its a bit of a case of swings and roundabouts tbh.
Petrol and diesel are most expensive in the border counties (Sligo being a major offendor)- and cheapest in Carlow/Wexford/Cork
Ditto- furniture in Munster in cheaper than anything you'll find in Dublin or any of the border counties.

There is a perception that consumers in Munster have been a lot more willing to shop around than those in Dublin and elsewhere- with the possible exception of the DID Electricals/Powercity examples (which to be quite honest are uncompetitive with either Northern prices, or web prices).

The reason the focus is on now- is because of the lengths people are willing to go to, in order to make their shrinking salary packets go further. This is evidenced by the grocery trips from all over the country up north- and indeed if you check you'll find over night trips from Cork with delivery of your purchases by Transit home the following day. A whole new industry is springing up to make things easier for people to go North.......

Zonda999

ejmaztec wrote: »

I can see us poor people down here in Munster still getting shafted. The closer you get to the border, the more competitive the pricing will be. Unfortunately, us suckers will be subsidising the top half of the country.:(

It is fairly feckin annoying alright is'nt it!!!

dolliemix

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

Not everyone has access to a fast connection, not everyone knows how to download stuff like that, not everyone likes to break the law or risk getting caught (regardless of how small the chance is).

completely agree!

Biggins

In regards to the rip-off prices in the Stirling exchange rates, there is a bit of good news there:

Last night, one of the most influential UK fashion chains operating here said it would cut its prices in the coming weeks to reflect sterling's parity with the euro.

Source: http://www.independent.ie/national-news/cheaper-goods-on-way-as-top-retailers-bow-to-public-anger-1588541.html

Goods with dual price labels were found to have sterling prices of £80, while the euro price was €120, at a time when €1 is worth almost £1.

Other examples include: A dress on sale in Karen Millen for €180 in Dublin but costing just £120 in the UK -- a €60 hike for an Irish shopper A women's black, fitted jacket on sale in Marks and Spencer in Dublin for €106. The same item is just £69.50 in the UK and Northern Ireland -- a €36.50 difference A men's Working Class Hero jacket on sale in River Island for €160, but on sale in the UK for €50 less, or £110.

dolliemix

Dizzyblabla wrote: »

I can't believe you guys are all saying good riddance to these stores. As annoying as their advertisements might be, how many people are employed in each shop? and it's not even just the shop floor, you've all the HR and Admin staff too up in the offices....

This is a really tough time for Ireland, being pleased that huge chain stores are shutting down across the whole island is a little selfish in my opinion.

+1 In the long run we are better off with more competition to keep prices down aswell as employment up

OPENROAD

GirlInterrupted wrote: »

Debenhams stock is particularly poor quality, whenever I've been in one of those stores I've been surprised they have any customers at all. Even the so called 'Designers at Debenahams' range(s) are shabby.

Something I have noticed with UK stores here is that they are never as good as their stores in the UK, don't know if that is down to the management in Irish stores but always find that UK stores are much better stocked particularly in terms of food.

DenMan

OPENROAD wrote: »

Something I have noticed with UK stores here is that they are never as good as their stores in the UK, don't know if that is down to the management in Irish stores but always find that UK stores are much better stocked particularly in terms of food.

15 times the population might have something to do with it.

IvaBigWun

Rb wrote: »

I would say the complete opposite actually, the vast majority have absolutely no idea about torrents, how to use them to download programs/music/etc and then how to burn them to a disk in a playable format.

People still rent for this very reason, they have no idea how to get a movie from the internet, to their computer, to the TV.

Point taken. Its easy to forget how nerdy it is when we download stuff free every day.


Allegedly

GirlInterrupted

OPENROAD wrote: »

Something I have noticed with UK stores here is that they are never as good as their stores in the UK, don't know if that is down to the management in Irish stores but always find that UK stores are much better stocked particularly in terms of food.

The House of Fraser branch in Dundrum bears no resemblance to a UK branch in terms of stock, both variety and quality. Same is true of many M and S stores here, as you say, especially in food in those stores.

OPENROAD

DenMan wrote: »

15 times the population might have something to do with it.

Has nothing to do with it imo, I'm talking about going into a shop early afternoon and produce particularly food is missing from the shelf because they have not ordered enough of the product.

niceirishfella

Highsider wrote: »

Have heard BTW tilesavers are going down the tubes not surprised TBH with some of the stories i've heard about them.

Don't surprise me.
I know a rep from a tile wholesalers and he told me that his order book is down 85%.......Ouch.

ejmaztec

Zonda999 wrote: »

It is fairly feckin annoying alright is'nt it!!!

There're gonna be a lot of burglaries taking place when those bargain hunters have left for the day.

themadchef

I don't have a mind for politics or a mind for economics but i know all this scaremongering by experts is not doing the country any favours.

People are scared to spend so they don't, shops close because people didn't spend, people lose jobs because the shops closed now people really don't have money to spend.

I heard a radio programme a few years ago. The guy used toilet roll as an example... basically he said, if an announcement was made tomorrow that there was a huge shortage of toilet roll coming (just for the craic).....people would go out in there droves and buy every shop out of all the toilet roll they could get..in turn causing a shortage of toilet roll....even though there was no shortage in the first place.

I know it's not the same thing ... but some people that have the same money as they did last year are not spending because they're afraid to... they're being told "mind your money you might not have a job next week".

I know some sectors have been hurt, some people are out of work, but not everyone...yet everyone is in the "batten down the hatches mode"

It's going to get a hell of alot worse IMO.

jahalpin

smccarrick wrote: »

They still can't compete with NI or UK prices. Lots of places in the UK will ship over here by the pallet load- you just have to shop around......

The electrical shops in the UK can't actually ship to people in the Republic due to the WEEE regulations

AlmightyCushion

jahalpin wrote: »

The electrical shops in the UK can't actually ship to people in the Republic due to the WEEE regulations

Yes they can they just have to contribute to the weee recycling fund. Not all of them do though.

Biggins

jahalpin wrote: »

The electrical shops in the UK can't actually ship to people in the Republic due to the WEEE regulations

I could be wrong but I though that there was an overall European regulation system in effect which we are ALL a part of.
Not disagreeing with you but in regards WEEE regulations, I know little. Care to explain further? I'm genuinely curious.

jahalpin

mumhaabu wrote: »

A friend of mine claims in that case they are obliged to take Sterling in ROI as payment if they display in sterling. I think this is baloney, any truth in it?

As another poster has pointed out, Sterling is not legal tender here, so the shops have no obligation to accept it at all.

The sterling price is the price in the UK, it is based on the costs of operating in the UK. The Euro price is based on the costs involved with operating in the Republic.

jahalpin

ejmaztec wrote: »

I can see us poor people down here in Munster still getting shafted. The closer you get to the border, the more competitive the pricing will be. Unfortunately, us suckers will be subsidising the top half of the country.:(

There's nothing stopping people from Munster from traveling to the North or to Dublin if they want to buy things. Due to the far higher population densities in the Dublin area the shops are more likely to survive the economic downturn than shops in other areas. It is, in fact, the people in Dublin that have been subsidizing the people in the other areas of the country.

jahalpin

Biggins wrote: »

I could be wrong but I though that there was an overall European regulation system in effect which we are ALL a part of.
Not disagreeing with you but in regards WEEE regulations, I know little. Care to explain further? I'm genuinely curious.

Unlike the Republic, the UK did not sign up for the WEEE scheme. They do not charge customers the WEEE charges.

Toto Wolfcastle

LolaDub wrote: »

And Morgan the clothes store. Any others?

gurramok wrote: »

Sasha womens clothes store is already in admin. Barratts shoe shops have a closing down sale at every one of their branches also.

Bijoux wrote: »

Heard that Jane Norman is going into liquidation....not sure if it's true or not though.

No loss tbh.

Biggins

jahalpin wrote: »

Unlike the Republic, the UK did not sign up for the WEEE scheme. They do not charge customers the WEEE charges.

Ok. You could be right. I don't know enough to say otherwise.

Originally Posted by jahalpin
The electrical shops in the UK can't actually ship to people in the Republic due to the WEEE regulations

Still leaves a question though. How is it then that we still get other British electrical goods? Me just confused by your earlier info sharing or else I'm just thick (which could be likely).

Senna

smccarrick wrote: »

It may once have been the case that the fallout would have been limited to the border counties- but no longer.

agreed, but i see far more retailer closing down in border counties. Further away from the border it's more likely that shops will be able to "tick-over" on reduced sales, but i foresee lots of border shops closing completely as the reduced prices are only minutes away.

MIN2511

The media coverage of the recession is very negative and IMO only worsens the situation.

giggsy664

DenMan wrote: »

H Samuel, Land of Leather, 2 Seasons, Zavvi and Chartbusters all going too I'm afraid.

Chartbusters? That means the gaming place in grafton street (game the world) is going too. GTW are owned by chartbusters

Biggins

MIN2511 wrote: »

The media coverage of the recession is very negative and IMO only worsens the situation.

I agree but its also a case or either reporting it or not.
I know there is some that go overboard but even the basic facts will still indicate that we need to tighten our belts.
Its tight-rope most of the media walks (granted some push it to extremes).

ejmaztec

jahalpin wrote: »

There's nothing stopping people from Munster from traveling to the North or to Dublin if they want to buy things. Due to the far higher population densities in the Dublin area the shops are more likely to survive the economic downturn than shops in other areas. It is, in fact, the people in Dublin that have been subsidizing the people in the other areas of the country.

I'm sure the road from here to Dublin gains another 50kms each time that I use it. I'ts like going on safari. :eek: Thank God for online shopping!

drunkmonkey

Senna wrote: »

A huge amount of border counties will see established and big shops close, unless they can take their prices down to compete with the North.

In Letterkenny, Currys sell a 42' Samsung plasma for €799, the exact same one costs €499(£499) in Derry, 20 minutes away. I dont know how a shop like this will last if they wont drop their prices.

how can Irish shops compete when there's so many variables, 2 different vat rates and 2 different minimum wages just to start..

they only way possible is through Government intervention maybe a lowering of minimum wage, a reduction in the vat rate, lowering of import dutys etc

Our Politicans are going to sink the country if something isn't done rapidly, anyone know when there back from Christmas holidays:mad:

EDIT:

Maybe I could run the place till they get back, Any Objections? : )

Elephant Monkey

I understand that the Harvey Norman ad would annoy some if not all! But would that turn you off shopping there? Really?

I've bought loads of furniture and electrical stuff from them and have bargained with them and got it at the lowest price by shopping around and telling them that its cheaper elsewhere. they will call the competition and beat the price!!! I have found myself bargaining more now, we do it on holidays so why not here!
Recently bought 2 pairs of trousers and got a 20% discount because i asked for a discount because i was buying 2 pairs,they didn't think twice about it!

I have been tempted to go north and stock up but with fuel the time it takes and effort do you really save that much?

I buy lots of music online, I only buy in music shops if i happen to pass and they have a sale on! The packaging makes buying music in shops pricey.

It is sad to see any shops go out of business, so many jobs to be lost and it not only affects that person that looses there job it affects there family too.

Happy new year

old boy

EDIT:

Maybe I could run the place till they get back, Any Objections? : )[/QUOTE]

sure you can, i bet you could do it when you are sober as well

CantGetNoSleep

To all the shops that are closing down:

Go f*ck yourselves

That is all I have to say, ok it is hard on people losing jobs (the dole isn't so bad though), but the cnuts have ripped us off for years now they deserve all they are getting, f&ck ye all

OPENROAD

Elephant Monkey wrote: »

I have been tempted to go north and stock up but with fuel the time it takes and effort do you really save that much?

For certain goods you don't even have to leave your house, was pricing some furniture today in Dublin, priced the same piece of furniture from a little corner shop in Knightsbridge in London 200 Euro cheaper this includes delivery, exchange rate etc.. and a 10% voucher of the cost to spend later in the year.

Someone was telling me they got a wii up North for 169 Euro, 269 Euro down here, he lives close to the border with savings like that shops are going to suffer big time imo.

Tchaikovsky

Walmart and Starbucks will be all that's left, rising out of the rubble of dead British outlets

AlmightyCushion

OPENROAD wrote: »

Someone was telling me they got a wii up North for 169 Euro, 269 Euro down here, he lives close to the border with savings like that shops are going to suffer big time imo.

The prices of game consoles are usually set by the manufacter (same with apple ipods). Selling them at below the price they set, generally isn't a good idea, at least not for extended periods anyways. So blame that one on Nintendo.

themadchef

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

To all the shops that are closing down:

Go f*ck yourselves

That is all I have to say, ok it is hard on people losing jobs (the dole isn't so bad though), but the cnuts have ripped us off for years now they deserve all they are getting, f&ck ye all

Here's the problem with that... if everyone takes that attitude and the jobs go in their tens of thousands...exactly who is going to be left paying the tax that pays that dole? the toothfairy? The Easter bunny? Even the Civil service jobs are experiencing cut backs on the cards.

Can the last person left in the country please turn out the lights...or more likely blow out the candle.

WoollyRedHat

themadchef wrote: »

Here's the problem with that... if everyone takes that attitude and the jobs go in their tens of thousands...exactly who is going to be left paying the tax that pays that dole? the toothfairy? The Easter bunny? Even the Civil service jobs are experiencing cut backs on the cards.

Can the last person left in the country please turn out the lights...or more likely blow out the candle.

The toothfairy is bankrupt as well. Last time I left a tooth out I got nothing!

CantGetNoSleep

themadchef wrote: »

Here's the problem with that... if everyone takes that attitude and the jobs go in their tens of thousands...exactly who is going to be left paying the tax that pays that dole? the toothfairy? The Easter bunny? Even the Civil service jobs are experiencing cut backs on the cards.

Can the last person left in the country please turn out the lights...or more likely blow out the candle.

We have to spend a certain amount of money, food etc will always be needed

OPENROAD

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

The prices of game consoles are usually set by the manufacter (same with apple ipods). Selling them at below the price they set, generally isn't a good idea, at least not for extended periods anyways. So blame that one on Nintendo.

Indeed for that single item, but with the fx rate set to reach parity Irish shops are going to suffer but then again maybe they don't mind, I called a store close to closing time, got transfered to the sales assistant and overheard him saying,"who is this calling at this time of the day" :rolleyes:

Tchaikovsky

themadchef wrote: »

Can the last person left in the country please turn out the lights...or more likely blow out the candle.

...should have been the newspaper headline after the 2007 election.

themadchef

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

We have to spend a certain amount of money, food etc will always be needed

yeah, but you buy food in a shop!

Shops that are closing down locally every other day of the week because people are going up North or to big chain discount stores. Those local shops will be missed, as will their coffers in the revenues pocket, and jobs.

Senna

drunkmonkey wrote: »

how can Irish shops compete when there's so many variables, 2 different vat rates and 2 different minimum wages just to start..

they only way possible is through Government intervention maybe a lowering of minimum wage, a reduction in the vat rate, lowering of import dutys etc

Our Politicans are going to sink the country if something isn't done rapidly, anyone know when there back from Christmas holidays:mad:

EDIT:

Maybe I could run the place till they get back, Any Objections? : )

Everytime the gov has intervened, they fúck it up. Lowering minimum wage will only make more people go on the dole, it wont help anything. If the shops cant compete then they close, thats business, some make it some wont.

Until business owner realise that just because they own something does not give them a god given right to be a millionaire. A decent wage should be enough.

OPENROAD

themadchef wrote: »

yeah, but you buy food in a shop!

Shops that are closing down locally every other day of the week because people are going up North or to big chain discount stores. Those local shops will be missed, as will their coffers in the revenues pocket, and jobs.

But what do you suggest? of course people should ideally shop locally but where big savings can be made, you can hardly blame people taking advantage.

CantGetNoSleep

themadchef wrote: »

yeah, but you buy food in a shop!

Shops that are closing down locally every other day of the week because people are going up North or to big chain discount stores. Those local shops will be missed, as will their coffers in the revenues pocket, and jobs.

Every shop won't close down, believe me - my local SuperValu's takings are exactly the same as last year despite a Tesco opening 3 minutes away

The reality is a large amount of shops will close, I would say even up to 40%, the only shops that will remain open are those that offer value for money or sell necessities, in the long run this could be a positive thing

Biggins

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

Every shop won't close down, believe me - my local SuperValu's takings are exactly the same as last year despite a Tesco opening 3 minutes away

The reality is a large amount of shops will close, I would say even up to 40%, the only shops that will remain open are those that offer value for money or sell necessities, in the long run this could be a positive thing

40% - Nope, thats a bit too way out there.

5% to 10% tops.

Saint_Mel

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

the dole isn't so bad though

True, the money is sh!t, but the hours are handy :-)

SimpleSam06

drunkmonkey wrote: »

they only way possible is through Government intervention maybe a lowering of minimum wage, a reduction in the vat rate, lowering of import dutys etc

The Germans, a first world nation, compete just fine, being the number one exporter on earth. Maybe we could learn a lesson or two from them. As for lowering the minimum wage, you are already almost as well off on welfare as doing 40 hours on minimum, taking healthcare and rental allowances into account.

themadchef wrote: »

exactly who is going to be left paying the tax that pays that dole? the toothfairy? The Easter bunny? Even the Civil service jobs are experiencing cut backs on the cards.

Yep, you're getting it now. The ruinous public sector pay rises and increases in the payroll put in by Bertie have destroyed this country for the foreseeable future. I honestly have no idea how we're going to get out of this one, short of cutting back on public sector staff in an unprecedented manner, both in terms of pay and personnel. Any union reps reading this, don't shoot the messenger.

Senna wrote: »

Until business owner realise that just because they own something does not give them a god given right to be a millionaire. A decent wage should be enough.

Most small businesses fail in the first three years, and thats after the owner accepts earning less than his or her employees and works 80 hour weeks just to make that happen. Don't begrudge people a profit or you'll lose the entire sector. With that said, fcuk the gougers, and I'm looking at Dunnes and most clothing retail chains in particular here, not leaving out commercial landlords who rip off the small retailer in turn.

Run_to_da_hills

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

Not everyone has access to a fast connection, not everyone knows how to download stuff like that, not everyone likes to break the law or risk getting caught (regardless of how small the chance is).

You can legally stream almost any mp3 without breaking the law however I still pref ere to have the original CD if you have a credit card or Paypal account. "Track it down.com" is a popular site.

Most club DJs still depend on hard copies rather than MP3 as they are more dependable.