Companies That You Expect to Disappear Soon

[Sun Chariot]

Which will go first, the company or the river?

And which one does more shipping...

 

[Peter Sarf]

I'm sure I read about a plan to completely re-develop the Whitgift very soon, so it may be that there's no point in carrying out any repairs as it might all be flattened soon?

The Whiutgift shopping centre has been under the cloud of complete redevelopment for decades !. The promis to replace it with a Westfield has fallen through about three times. It is true that planning blight is likely why various shops have gone (its only 25% or less occupied nowadays). I doubt it will ever get finished as we only have to look at last centuries grand plan to redevelop the smaller St Georges walk (now half demolished and half obscure shops that last weeks, exception is the dry cleaners always open). I think Croydon as a shopping destination is finished.

 

[dcbwhaley]

We don't have a problem with Evri - but I suppose it helps that we have a reliable, regular driver who knows what to do when we're not in.

Fairy Nuff. it is very much down to the individual driver. What vis depressing is that Head Office don't seem to care that they have a rogue driver

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Apr 2025 ==

Which will go first, the company or the river?

Prolly the rain forest

 

[125Spotter]

Fairy Nuff. it is very much down to the individual driver. What vis depressing is that Head Office don't seem to care that they have a rogue driver

I don't personally have any particular problems with Evri in the sense that parcels arrive when they say they will, but it's generally by a local driver in a huge rush, who can't wait a few seconds while we open the door (but at least he does knock, as others now silently leave packages by the door US-style, which is infuriating).

When I see a company or sender using Evri, I cannot shake the feeling that I'm getting a suboptimal service – that they have prioritised a cut-rate delivery over spending a few extra pennies for a better end-to-end solution, with possibly marginally better customer support and delivery staff. Perhaps today's cash-strapped society demands a carrier of this nature, or some items simply do not warrant anything better, but the experience of dealing with Evri is just terrible. I don't have much trust or faith in them as a consequence, and it impacts my perception of the sending company too.

As an anecdote, when I worked for a former employer, I had to send a lot of expensive hardware around the country to our staff, all of whom worked remotely. This was either standard IT equipment, such as laptops and mobile phones, or more specialist bits of testing kit. When I was running this function, we generally made use of either (tracked) Royal Mail or DPD, and never had an issue – items turned up the next day, in tact and undamaged. We didn't bother paying for the carrier-provided insurance, as below a certain rate of loss, the numbers didn't work out in our favour – we could effectively self-insure due to volume, where the cost of the insurance would easily accrue to buy us a new item after 10-20 successfully delivered packages. I also doubted we'd ever be able to claim without significant effort from our legal team, too.

We hired a new member of staff who saw the opportunity to save a few pounds on each delivery by switching to Evri. Two deliveries to a staff member's address where DPD had successfully delivered many times prior arrived empty – the parcel had been opened and the contents either removed (one case) or the items replaced with womens' clothing (the other case). Suffice to say, we didn't use Evri again after that experience.

 

[Thirteen]

The Whiutgift shopping centre has been under the cloud of complete redevelopment for decades !. The promis to replace it with a Westfield has fallen through about three times. It is true that planning blight is likely why various shops have gone (its only 25% or less occupied nowadays). I doubt it will ever get finished as we only have to look at last centuries grand plan to redevelop the smaller St Georges walk (now half demolished and half obscure shops that last weeks, exception is the dry cleaners always open). I think Croydon as a shopping destination is finished.

Wasn't the plan to merge the Whitgift and Centrale with a giant shopping complex proposed nearly a decade ago? I do think a Westfield that's similar to the one in Shepherd's Bush and Stratford City is good although surely most people in Croydon can get to Westfield London pretty easily as it's a direct train from East Croydon Station or a train to Clapham Junction then change to the Mildmay Line for a few stops to Shepherd's Bush but then again a Westfield could attract those who live further south.

I wonder if Croydon needs a Stratford style regeneration project to get it to higher standards with companies and Government offices as well as arts and culture alongside new homes and shops?

 

[Peter Sarf]

Wasn't the plan to merge the Whitgift and Centrale with a giant shopping complex proposed nearly a decade ago? I do think a Westfield that's similar to the one in Shepherd's Bush and Stratford City is good although surely most people in Croydon can get to Westfield London pretty easily as it's a direct train from East Croydon Station or a train to Clapham Junction then change to the Mildmay Line for a few stops to Shepherd's Bush but then again a Westfield could attract those who live further south.

I wonder if Croydon needs a Stratford style regeneration project to get it to higher standards with companies and Government offices as well as arts and culture alongside new homes and shops?

The other worry with the Croydon Westfield is that it replaces an existing shopping centre. The other two Westfields at Shepherds Bush and Stratford were built on brownfield sites. So we will be losing a conventional shopping centre that one would visit weekly or more often. Both existing Westfields have ALMOST direct services from Croydon and I will not be shopping much in Croydon if the Whitgift is lost - well its rather lost already !.

I can see the Whitgift just closing and ceasing to exist. Much like St Georges Walk already has (half demolished).

Edited to correct Stratford is vie Canonbury.

 

[Bald Rick]

Both existing Westfields have direct services from Croydon

Croydon to Stratford?

 

[Peter Sarf]

Croydon to Stratford?

Sorry brain failure.
West Croydon London Overground via a change at Canonbury.

 

[Bald Rick]

Sorry brain failure.
West Croydon London Overground via a change at Canonbury.

Somewhat quicker by train East Croydon to London Bridge then Jubilee, surely.

 

[WibbleWobble]

I don't personally have any particular problems with Evri in the sense that parcels arrive when they say they will, but it's generally by a local driver in a huge rush, who can't wait a few seconds while we open the door (but at least he does knock, as others now silently leave packages by the door US-style, which is infuriating).

Amazon are buggers for that - I've complained about drivers who drop and dash without knocking or ringing the bell. One driver's response was "well it's in the safe place so I don't have to!" I now have a specific delivery instruction that the doorbell must be rung - thankfully that seems to have worked.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Somewhat quicker by train East Croydon to London Bridge then Jubilee, surely.

I would agree. Snag is the missus has a bit of a phobia (Thameslink is deep enough for her limits) and the Granddaughter does not like the noise on the tube (the Jubilee under docklands is particularly noisy - I think corrugated track ?).

But I keep thinking from West Croydon is direct - I must be getting old !.

On the subject of Westfield's. Does anyone think that opening another one in London might be flooding the market for luxury shopping days out ?.

 

[Bald Rick]

On the subject of Westfield's. Does anyone think that opening another one in London might be flooding the market for luxury shopping days out ?.

If you think Westfield is a luxury shopping experience, go to Hong Kong or Singapore!

 

[Peter Sarf]

If you think Westfield is a luxury shopping experience, go to Hong Kong or Singapore!

I was last in those to places in 1996 BUT I get the picture.

 

[125Spotter]

If you think Westfield is a luxury shopping experience, go to Hong Kong or Singapore!

Walking through Westfield Stratford in the early evening a few weeks ago on my way to the Waitrose at the far end, I was distinctly put off any desire to enter many of the shops by the presence of intimidating security guards at the door, whose demeanour seemed to be part bouncer, part judgement of anyone looking to enter to see if they are 'worthy'. But, I recognise that I'm just not up with the way of the world outside my small rural part of Devon where the most 'security' needed is a couple of sheep looking over the fence on the path to the village shop.

Most of the stores I passed are not exactly what I'd call "high-end" designer stores – I could find far more expensive luxury stores in central London! – albeit many of the shoppers there are likely to disagree with this assessment, as many are the type of overt 'flaunt-it' designer store with elevated premium pricing, and of course they're on the higher end of pricing of what you'd find at Westfield, which presumably makes them somewhat of a target.

 

[Thirteen]

Westfield Stratford City is not as high end compared to Westfield London.

 

[Mojo]

Westfield Stratford City is not as high end compared to Westfield London.

Even that seems to have died a death in the past few years. "The Village" which is the branding they used for the luxury end (up the escalators by Waitrose) is a ghost town now, with many vacant units. The Champagne Bar is long-closed.

 

[jon0844]

Walking through Westfield Stratford in the early evening a few weeks ago on my way to the Waitrose at the far end, I was distinctly put off any desire to enter many of the shops by the presence of intimidating security guards at the door, whose demeanour seemed to be part bouncer, part judgement of anyone looking to enter to see if they are 'worthy'. But, I recognise that I'm just not up with the way of the world outside my small rural part of Devon where the most 'security' needed is a couple of sheep looking over the fence on the path to the village shop.

They have a huge problem with crime in the Stratford Westfield, with items thrown off the upper levels, rollerskating robberies/snatches, shoplifting, anti-social behaviour etc - plus managing football fans on match day (West Ham).

Sadly security needs to look strong and act tough to keep things under control, or else nobody would want to go there. The one in West London is significantly nicer.

 

[125Spotter]

The one in West London is significantly nicer.

If and when I'm next in the area, perhaps I'll check that one out.

 

[jon0844]

If and when I'm next in the area, perhaps I'll check that one out.

While it is nicer, it will depend on the shops you want and how easy it is to get to. Despite needing to be on your guard, we still go to the Stratford one.

I should point out that if you use common sense then you shouldn't become a victim of crime. Same as if you're on the street.

 

[brad465]

I doubt they're about to disappear imminently, but McDonalds is having US sales' problems:

McDonald's loses US diners as they 'grapple with uncertainty'

The burger chain says its US customers are "grappling with uncertainty".

www.bbc.co.uk

McDonald's has suffered its biggest drop in US sales since the height of Covid, a fall that it said was driven by people's concerns over the US economy.
Despite a marketing tie-in with the Minecraft movie and extended price deals, US customers made fewer visits to the burger chain in the first three months of this year, compared to a year ago.
Chief executive Chris Kempczinski said customers were "grappling with uncertainty".
But he assured investors that the firm could "navigate even the toughest of market conditions".
McDonald's has been working for months to try to reignite enthusiasm among customers, after facing a backlash over rising prices, especially lower income households.
However, revenue at US McDonald's outlets that have been open at least a year sank 3.6% in the first three months of 2025 compared to a year earlier.
That is the steepest decline in like-for-like sales in the US since the three months to the end of June 2020 when pandemic restrictions were in place.
The surprise drop in sales coincided with a contraction in the US economy, which shrank at an annual rate of 0.3% in the first three months of 2025, the first quarterly decline in output since 2022.
Reacting to the growth figures, President Trump called for patience, saying he needed "a little bit of time" and described the numbers as a reflection of the "Biden economy", a reference to his predecessor as president.
However, Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell, said Americans were nervous and cutting back on discretionary spending as a result.
"They're worried prices will rise even higher and that household budgets, already feeling the impact of previous inflation, will be stretched beyond breaking point," she said.
"They're also nervous about the potential for job losses if the economy continues to stutter as businesses try and make sense of an evolving tariff environment."
McDonald's figures reflect the first two months of Donald Trump's presidency, with the reporting period ending just before his barrage of tariff announcements on 2 April.
Dubbed "Liberation Day", that broadside prompted further confusion among many firms and consumers.
Mr Kempczinski said: "Consumers today are grappling with uncertainty, but they can always count on McDonald's [...] for exceptional value".
"McDonald's has a 70-year legacy of innovation, leadership, and proven agility, all of which give us confidence in our ability to navigate even the toughest of market conditions and gain market share," he added.
Over the same three-month period to March, the slump in McDonald's US sales dragged its global like-for-like revenue down 1%, despite growing sales in Japan, Australia, and the Middle East.

Higher prices​

Businesses have had a mix of reactions since Trump began revealing and enforcing his plans for tariffs, which are a tax payable by a person or firm buying a good from overseas.
This week, technology giant Intel said costs would rise and a recession was more likely because of Trump's tariffs.
Sportswear brand Adidas said they would lead to higher prices in the US for popular trainers including the Gazelle and Samba.
Meanwhile, delivery giant DHL paused deliveries worth more than $800 (£603) due to US trade policy before lifting them after negotiating "adjustments" to customs rues.
Trump and his allies have said the policies will help to bring more jobs to the US as firms base factories and operations the country to avoid the new taxes.
However, many companies and economists have said this will be difficult to achieve and will likely mean job losses and economic pain at least in the short term.

 

[jon0844]

I doubt they're about to disappear imminently, but McDonalds is having US sales' problems:

McDonald's loses US diners as they 'grapple with uncertainty'

The burger chain says its US customers are "grappling with uncertainty".

www.bbc.co.uk

They had similar problems a year or two ago, but reduced some of their prices and introduced more deals (they've done similar here, with money off when you spend over £xx and a cheaper meal deal).

I assume there are new pressures now that people are worried about how much money they're going to have left after paying more for other things (like groceries).

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Looks like the Moorcroft pottery business, in Staffordshire, is permanently closing. Will.be going into voluntary liquidation.

Moorcroft Pottery firm goes bust in Burslem after more than 100 years

The directors of Moorcroft Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent say they are going into voluntary liquidation.

www.bbc.com

Extract...

The directors of Moorcroft Pottery have announced the firm has stopped trading after more than 100 years, which the GMB Union says means the loss of 57 jobs.

 

[DoubleLemon]

Dixons was kept at airports for a while but I think they've either gone or been renamed.

Currys is now pushing online sales more (with more competitive prices I've found), as well as click and collect (which works best at large outlets) and given Amazon gets worse every day, I think some people might be returning to buying from Currys and even Argos (which does very cheap same day delivery).

I've been looking at a new fridge and a chest freezer. currys were cheaper than ao and even amazon.

 

[jon0844]

I've been looking at a new fridge and a chest freezer. currys were cheaper than ao and even amazon.

I wonder if that's Currys reducing prices/margins, or Amazon just continuing to get more expensive.

Again, talking more about Amazon US, a lot of sellers are having to put up their retail prices because of the huge increase in fees and charges they have to pay to use the fulfillment services (including being charged for storage and punished if stock levels fall etc).

I expect almost all sellers would love to leave Amazon if there was a viable alternative. Only the biggest names could realistically drop Amazon and sell direct only.

 

[DoubleLemon]

I wonder if that's Currys reducing prices/margins, or Amazon just continuing to get more expensive.

Again, talking more about Amazon US, a lot of sellers are having to put up their retail prices because of the huge increase in fees and charges they have to pay to use the fulfillment services (including being charged for storage and punished if stock levels fall etc).

I expect almost all sellers would love to leave Amazon if there was a viable alternative. Only the biggest names could realistically drop Amazon and sell direct only.

could be right about charges by amazon. I suspect they are more worried about ao for appliances.

 

[brad465]

Weightwatchers filing for bankruptcy in the US, citing the rise of fat-loss jabs among reasons:

Weightwatchers files for bankruptcy as Ozempic and Mounjaro surge in popularity

The firm is struggling with debt and tough competition from weight-loss drugs.

www.bbc.co.uk

WeightWatchers has filed for bankruptcy in the US as it struggles with debt and fierce competition from fat-loss jabs like Ozempic and Mounjaro.
The legal process will see $1.15bn (£860mn) of the 60-year-old diet brand's debt written off while it agrees new terms for paying back its lenders.
WeightWatchers said it will remain "fully operational" during the process with "no impact to members".
It follows the meteoric rise in popularity of weight loss injections in what the firm said was a "rapidly changing weight management landscape".
"For more than 62 years, WeightWatchers has empowered millions of members to make informed, healthy choices, staying resilient as trends have come and gone," said chief executive Tara Comonte.
The plans have "the overwhelming support of our lenders", she said.
In a statement, the brand said its weight-loss programme, "telehealth" scheme, and weight-loss workshops will continue.
The company vowed that it was "here to stay" and that it was not going out of business.
It said it had a "significant amount of debt on its balance sheet, some of it dating back decades" and that filing for bankruptcy would allow it to restructure its balance sheet.
Some customers would get court notifications as part of the process, but they shouldn't need to take any action, the firm added.

 

[whoosh]

Didn't 'tighten their belt' enough!

 

[wilbers]

they lost £'s rather than pounds.

 

[_toommm_]

Their debt must have been a big weight on their finances.

 

[dgl]

Unfortunately they should have been getting fat from their members but like the services they supply they got thinner.
Should have been more dollar watchers than weight watchers!