PwC adminstrators battle to save shoe retailer
The 140-strong chain of shops - and its website - will continue to trade as normal for the immediate future
PWC ADMINISTRATORS are currently running discount shoe retailer Branato, just three months after it was snapped up by investors.
The 140-strong chain of shops – and its website – will continue to trade as normal for the immediate future, putting a temporary stay of execution on the jobs of 2,000 employees.
The Leicestershire-based firm, which also operates around 60 concessions nationwide, was bought by turnaround specialists Alteri Investors in October.
However, “difficult trading conditions” led to it going into administration “despite sustained efforts to make the business more commercially viable”.
PwC’s lead administrator, Tony Barrell, said: “The continuing challenging conditions for ‘bricks and mortar’ retail stores are well documented. Like many others, Brantano has been hit hard by the change in consumers’ shopping habits and the evolution of the UK retail environment.
“The administrators are continuing to trade the businesses as normal whilst we assess the trading strategy over the coming days and weeks.
“Staff will be paid their arrears of wages and salaries, and will continue to be paid for their work during the administration.”
Christmas trading is believed to have fallen significantly below expectations while the bricks and mortar estate has hit by the nation’s seemingly unstoppable love affair with online shopping.
