MFI and Rosebys closing stores

MFI is “restructuring” and Rosebys are in administration. This time there seems no way out for two old, venerable, but struggling bed and bedroom retail chains. We expect a big number of their stores to close which isn’t good news for landlords but is good news for us bed retailers who are left.

The ever rising rents and ever more restrictive planning conditions have been a huge disincentive to open more bed stores. Sometimes it feels that only a phalanx of supermarket lawyers and their bankers can negotiate the current system.

The dam may however may begin to burst and if both councils and landlords start to see the folly of screwing the retailer (we end up passing the costs to the customer in the end) there could be opportunities for independent retailers after all. 

As always at Archers, we will find a way. More bed superstores to follow shortly….

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