Comet customers queue round the block for closing down sale
CUSTOMERS queued round the block at Comet on St Oswald's Retail Park over the weekend after news broke that the store will close today.
Staff at the branch were told on Saturday the store was about to cease trading, with the loss of 27 jobs.
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Comet queue
A huge closing down sale began with signs in the windows telling shoppers "everything must go".
One shopper said there was "manic buying by everyone, display TVs going left right and centre".
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She added that customers may struggle with guarantees, adding: "Hopefully, the people who rushed out to buy cheap electrical goods won't be regretting it in the future."
Another said there was little left on the shelves by the afternoon, only "TV stands, razors and freezers".
The store is one of 41 branches preparing to close before the end of this month after the chain went into administration.
Of those, 27 branches have already been told they are closing. The future of other stores, including in Metz Way, Gloucester, and Tewkesbury Road, Cheltenham, remains uncertain.
Comet's administration comes months after it was taken over by investment firm OpCapita, which bought the chain for just £2 in February. Angry staff have called for ministers to investigate the retailer's collapse and the way its former private equity owners ran it.
Martin Ison, a staff member at the St Oswald's branch, said he was shocked and angered by the closure.
He is in the process of moving house and faces looking for a new job, with Christmas around the corner.
"I'm not angry with the staff or immediate managers," he said. "I'm shocked it's our store and I'm angry with OpCapita."
Administrators Deloitte have been seeking a buyer and joint administrator Neville Kahn said they would "work hard to preserve jobs".
Comments
by geraint2010
Monday, November 19 2012, 3:40PM
“Never mind the queue for Comet - what numpty thought it was a good idea to plonk a double-decker bus with slide attracting scores of excited little children to the middle of a very busy car park?”
by timmy0811
Monday, November 19 2012, 12:07PM
“Comet has always failed and has for years. It's a walk in walk out store with. Its nothing to do with the internet offering better discounts. What about impulsive buying? You see it & you want it right now? You look around Comet and its just **** stuff.”
by dawn957
Monday, November 19 2012, 11:02AM
“has anyone read the small print on the front door? about returns etc.”
by NibNobs
Monday, November 19 2012, 10:53AM
“The stock in the 41 stores that are the first to close will NEVER be that cheap, they simply won't make genuine 50% off reductions on the brand new/boxed items. The insolvency firm in charge will keep moving the un-sold stock to the remaining stores that are still open, when they are all shut by Feb/March(?) next year the remaining un-sold stock will be sold to specialist ex-catalogue firms who will sell it on-line through clearance centres who use ebay, amazon marketplace etc.”
by thomas1996
Monday, November 19 2012, 10:38AM
“I cannot understand why people go mad by queuing for these so-called 'bargains' - amazon and other web sites work on such a low profit margin (because they have few overheads, fewer staff, no shops) it's always cheaper.
All these people should wait until the very last few days of trading - THEN the prices might be more of a giveaway as the liquidators would rather sell it any any price than have to count it.
Bet all those who bought a big TV yesterday at -20% off will be kicking themselves when it's -50% off!”
by Kingfisher
Monday, November 19 2012, 10:18AM
“Why do they always do this to staff just before Christmas. Time and time again we read of people with families facing a bleak Christmas. Losing your job is bad enough, but could they not wait til February to drop the bombshell?”
by SandraPee
Monday, November 19 2012, 9:45AM
“Two items I bought there earlier in the year were both DEARER ???!!!! .”
by honslknjklyt
Monday, November 19 2012, 9:38AM
“This is part of why shops are closing in the first place, they are being used as showrooms for people to go and look at a product, see if they like it, try it out etc and then go on the internet and buying it cheaper.
Meanwhile, the store have had to pay for the cleaning, staff, staff holiday pay and entitlements etc, rent and business rates to the council, regulatory requirements, heating, electric, insurances etc etc. This is why it is cheaper on Amazon.”
by chatadmin
Monday, November 19 2012, 8:51AM
“Went yesterday what a waste of time considering i was there about 3pm
Was looking for a tom tom charger - priced at £30, with the 20% extra on there took it down to £24
Checked on my phone on the internet for the same thing amazon was selling it for £15!!!
this was one of many stuff!
waste of time”