Cath Kidston staff round on management as retailer closes stores

Earlier this week, Cath Kidston said it was permanently closing all 60 of its UK stores under a rescue deal with its Hong Kong-based owner, Baring Private Equity Asia.

The company will continue trading online and via its wholesale and franchise businesses around the world, which includes more than 100 stores. Only 32 of its 940 staff will see their jobs secured as part of the deal.

Melinda Paraie, Cath Kidston Chief Executive, said: “While we are pleased that our future has been secured, this is obviously an extremely difficult day as we say goodbye to many colleagues.”

“Despite our very best efforts, against the backdrop of Covid-19, we were unable to secure a solvent sale of the business which would have allowed us to avoid administration and carry on trading in our current form.”

Blaming the coronavirus has not gone down well with several senior employees, who have hit out at unresponsive management on social media.

“Absolutely devastated that it's come to this! I have had an amazing eight years with this incredible brand. My one regret is that we couldn't get them to listen to us! Every person who worked in the stores could see this coming,” Kerry Homer, former Dual Site Store Manager, said on LinkedIn.

“Feedback that comes directly from store teams and customers is so valuable but nobody higher up seemed to want to know. I'm convinced we could have turned the company around if we'd gone down a different path but hey, what do we know? Sad times!”

Replying to Homer’s LInkedIn post, Stephanie Reeve, Head of Retail Operations, said: “Completely agree with what you've said, but sometimes people just don't want to hear the feedback!”

“Thank you for being such a passionate, knowledgeable and motivated individual. I wish you all the very best with whatever the future holds and even though our time working together was brief, I do know that whoever you work for next will be very lucky to have you as part of their team.”

“Good luck Kerry, a really tough day. I’ve never known a family quite like Cath and I’ll never forget it. If you need to know what customers want ask the store teams it’s basic but so often forgotten,” added Caitlin Davies, Head of International.

Cath Kidston is the latest prominent UK high street name to fall into insolvency proceedings since the outbreak of Covid-19, lining up alongside the likes of BrightHouse, Debenhams and Laura Ashley.