Blacks to close 89 stores

[Shewie]

Heard on the radio this morning that the Blacks group are to close 89 of their stores in the near future, including a number of their Millets stores.

Could be worth keeping an eye out for some bargains if you have a store near you.

I was quite surprised to hear of the closures considering a lot of UK residents have holidayed at home this year and general outdoor interests are on the rise. Perhaps they are struggling to keep up with the ecommerce sector.

P.S

If anyone see one of the Outwell stainless kettles going cheap, let me know

 

[Man of Tanith]

A friend of mine who manages a millets store has blamed tesco/aldi etc for a recent drop in sales as the cost of the tesco's camping equipment is a lot less than that of millets/blacks.
one example is the value dome tent tesco stocked for £8, whilst the build quality is a lot worse that millets cheaper tents the people going to festivals arent really bothered by that kinda thing.
Cheers
Sam

 

[Melonfish]

thanks for the heads up, got a millets nearby us, i reckon the blacks in the trafford centre might go too, rent in there is astronomical so they'd prolly look to save money there.

 

[Shewie]

A friend of mine who manages a millets store has blamed tesco/aldi etc for a recent drop in sales as the cost of the tesco's camping equipment is a lot less than that of millets/blacks.
one example is the value dome tent tesco stocked for £8, whilst the build quality is a lot worse that millets cheaper tents the people going to festivals arent really bothered by that kinda thing.
Cheers
Sam

Those will be the same folk who just leave them in situ or set fire to them rather than packing them out.

 

[Tony]

i wonder how that will impact them on their market position, they were by far the biggest outdoor chain (Blacks and Millets)

 

[Man of Tanith]

Those will be the same folk who just leave them in situ or set fire to them rather than packing them out.

yeah thats the muggy little toerags

bit odd that millets/blacks are closing down last time i was in my local millets they were advertising for managers.

 

[durulz]

I'm not surprised.
Until relatively recently I didn't know they were owned by the same people.
In some towns you have both a Millets and Blacks and, in the case of Canterbury, they are as good as next door to each other.
My assumption has always been that Blacks were a tad more expensive than Millets - even when they are selling the same product - since Blacks was assumed to be more 'upmarket'. For that reason, I'm not surprised some Blacks stores will close down.
I find it hard to believe that Asda and Tesco is the cause of the demise. Anyone who was that casual about camping was hardly going to look in a specialist store in the first place. Seem more like opportunity buyers to me.
I suspect it's the presence of two stores, selling the same products, one at a slightly higher cost, that has caused the closures.
As someone else said - a good chance to pick up a bargain or two.

 

[Matt.S]

In Exeter we have a Millets, a Blacks, Taunton Leisure, the Moorland Rambler, Thomas Moore, the Kit Shop and of course Endicotts -- and those are just the choices on the high street. I don't think I'll miss the first two...

 

[johnboy]

I bought my first climbing harness A Petzl Coucous IIRC in Blacks in Exeter...

Mind you it was a bit of a hike from Moorland Rambler at one end of the High Street to Blacks at the other...

Sad they're shutting down some stores. While It's possibly a good chance for a bargain it comes at the expense of peoples jobs....

 

[Asa Samuel]

There is a millets in Truro (or so I am told, never been able to find it myself) so I'll have to get a map and see if there are any bargains!

 

[Intertidal]

Sad for the staff affected, but really it should be no surprise.
I remember (about 30 years ago) when Blacks in Plymouth opened. Man, what a shop. It had all manner of stuff from quality manufacturers (many of them British at that time). How times have changed - seems to me that Blacks/Millets are now effectively clothes shops for the outdoors market, with a bit of cheap gear on the side. I think theres still a market for the good quality independents and smaller chains.

 

[firecrest]

I can't say Im totally sad - I have never been able to buy a single item of clothing from a blacks/millets store as their prices are through the roof, more so than high street fashion, yet the clothes they sold were every bit as aimed at the fashion conscious.

 

[peds8045]

I agree with firecrest...they have not been realistic in their pricing and for almost all their stock you can buy it a lot cheaper at other stores or online. Go Outdoors on the other hand seem to have the right idea with competitive pricing and regular 'real' offers. (no connection with them)

 

[Shewie]

It'll be sad if it's the beginning of the slippery slope for them, I've got used to having a Millets local to me. Although their prices are higher than most they do come in handy for those last minute purchases before a trip, stuff like a map, or socks or travel towel etc.

Luckily Go Outdoors have just opened a branch a few miles from home

 

[hiho]

Just been into the doncaster one today and picked up a leatherman charge. He said that all the branches of millets in yorkshire where shutting.

 

[Humpback]

Blacks and Millets at Telford have 30% selected discounts at the moment and Blacks closes on the 24th so I will be back again nearer that date.
Alan

 

[helixpteron]

I think you'll find that all but the London stores may close.

 

[Barn Owl]

I remember Blacks having really good quality gear and not just the 'high st mountaineer' gear.

Millets was a newcomer to our area but I remember one in Wimbledon in the seventies that was like a right good surplus place too...I think?

 

[sam_acw]

Do they still sell camping stuff? 95% of their stock is outdoors themed shoes and clothing.

 

[Black Sheep]

I hear that 2 out of 3 stores in York are closing by then end of the month.

Got a bargain pair of Karrimor boots last weekend, called back today now upto 70% off some stuff and every thing else has 30% off, bought another pair of boots

Sorry to see them go.

Richard