Kitz Forum
Chat => Chit Chat => Topic started by: renluop on February 20, 2018, 08:02:43 AM
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Taken from Online Guardian
Maplin’s bad moment – Maplin is racing to avoid insolvency after struggling with losses, poor Christmas sales and the impact of Brexit. The chain of 200 electronics stores, which was founded in 1972 and employs 2,500 people, might be broken up if it cannot find a buyer this week. One interested party, according to reports, is Edinburgh Woollen Mill, which also owns Jaeger, Peacocks and Jane Norman. Maplin’s CEO, Oliver Meakin, who is stepping down, said Brexit had driven up the business’s costs by 15%: “You cannot shoulder that as a retailer.”
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Frankly I'm not surprised. They have always been expensive especially for PC related stuff. The only things I buy from them these days are components (switches,plugs, resistors etc) if I am building or repairing stuff.
Stuart
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I've only ever used them when I needed something urgently, as their prices are always on the expensive side. Hopefully they'll be saved though.
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PC World claim to have The Knowledge, but which, PC World or Maplin have more knowledge?
As said, they're both exhorbitant in their pricing.
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I've never been impressed by the technical knowledge of either place. The only one locally I find has good knowledge is our local shop which has been trading for quite a long time.
Stuart
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My take...
Years ago, when launched, Maplin were a components shop, supplying a hard core of hobbyists. I was one. I daresay there’s less demand for that now. For example, people just buy a raspberry Pi, rather than buying all the bits and making one for themselves. Plus, years ago, higher end component suppliers like RS were trade-only, nowadays RS and others are much more accessible. And why buy and etch your own PCBs, when there are internet suppliers that will manufacture one-offs quite cheaply?
In last couple of decades Maplin seem to have reacted by trying to find a new customer base, selling more and more gadgetty and PC stuff, often stuff that was already obsoleted, or just useless tat, competing with everybody from gimicky toy stores to PC World. I am not surprised that tactic failed to save the business. Sad, though. :(
Or of course, they could just blame Global Warming, Brexit, Diesel exhaust fumes, or whatever ::)
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I wonder why Edinburgh Woollen Mill is interested in a chain of electronics shops. ???
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Diversification?
I see this morning that IKEA are entering the energy market (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/feb/20/ikea-joins-big-clean-switch-to-offer-100-renewable-energy-tariff).
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I wonder why Edinburgh Woollen Mill is interested in a chain of electronics shops. ???
Maplin and Edinburgh Woollen Mill are both owned by the same equity company (along with Pizza Hut).
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I wonder why Edinburgh Woollen Mill is interested in a chain of electronics shops. ???
They’ve probably heard that Maplin sell jumpers.
Example: https://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-miniature-pin-jumper-10-pack-n24an
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;D
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Perhaps E.W.M. wants some extra shop premises, at reasonable existing rents?
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IMHO that's probably the attraction. The Bournemouth branch, for example, seems to be of similar size to others we (wife ;)) know around the area.
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On the BBC news last night Maplins and ToysRus have declared bankrupt.
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On the BBC new last night Maplins and ToysRus have declared bankrupt.
Sad day for their employees as I doubt either will be rescued as neither had a workable business model in the current climate.
Stuart
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On the BBC new last night Maplins and ToysRus have declared bankrupt.
I have to be a pedant here! A company doesn't go bankrupt, but in to Liquidation- Creditors Voluntary, or Compulsory. A company can trade if put in to Administrative Receivership by holders of loan security, or Administration to restructure to make it viable.
/mode off.
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It's no wondering maplin are going down. They are like a PC world, overpriced.
I have been looking to upgrade my cctv network and the item I've been looking at is usually £599. So I went to the site and noticed its now got Clearance labelled all over. Have a guess how much the item is now? yup, £599 !
I also noticed if you wanted them to fit a 2 camera setup they are charging £220 ! I mean, £220 for putting in 2 ethernet cables and screwing 2 cameras to a wall.