Arcadia retail empire on brink of collapse [updated]

Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia group, which includes brands such as Dorothy Perkins, Burton and Topshop, is said to be on the brink of collapse. It is thought that the company could enter administration on Monday after news emerged on Friday that talks over a potential £30 million loan had failed.

The group, which employs 13,000 staff, has been seeking funding as it looks to plug gaps in its balance sheet after sales plummeted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Arcadia said that COVID-19 had caused “a material impact on trading” across the group.

However, the company was struggling even prior to the pandemic, as its brands faced fierce competition from online-only retailers like Boohoo and Asos. Green has been widely criticised for failing to properly invest in online trading amid a long-term decline of the UK high street.

While it is thought that many of the group’s brands could survive if they are acquired out of administration by other retailers, it is likely that many stores will close and job cuts made.

Concerns have also been raised that many staff could see their pensions cut should Arcadia’s scheme fall into the Pension Protection Scheme. Work and pensions select committee chairman Stephen Timms has urged Green to plug an estimated £350 million deficit in Arcadia's scheme.

While there is not expected to be a last-minute rescue deal, Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has confirmed that it has offered Arcadia an emergency loan of up to £50 million and declared its interest in a potential sales process if and when Arcadia enters administration.

In a statement, Frasers said: “Frasers Group notes recent press reports concerning the potential provision of emergency funding by the Company to the Arcadia Group.”

“The Company can confirm that it has made an offer and provided draft terms to the Arcadia Group for a loan of up to £50 million and is now awaiting a substantive response.”

“Should the Company and the Arcadia Group’s efforts to agree an emergency funding package fail and the Arcadia Group enter into administration, the Company would be interested in participating in any sale process.”

While sources close to Sir Philip Green have dismissed the possibility of a deal with Ashley’s group, Arcadia’s likely administration could have a knock-on impact on JD Sports’ potential acquisition of Debenhams.

According to a source close to JD Sports, Arcadia entering administration would give the retailer “more to think about”.

Update: Arcadia in Administration, Buyers Sought

In just a few hours it was decided to appoint Deloitte to take charge of a “trading administration” that leaves the existing management team in control of day-today operations.

Matt Smith, administrator at Deloitte, said “We will be rapidly seeking expressions of interest and expect to identify one or more buyers to ensure the future success of the businesses."

Earlier in the day Frasers Group and Arcadia both separately confirmed that Frasers' offer of a £50 million emergency loan had been rejected.

In a statement, Frasers Group said: "Frasers Group can confirm that Arcadia Group Limited have declined Frasers Group’s offer of a lifeline loan of up to £50m."

"Frasers Group were not given any reasons for the rejection, nor did Frasers Group have any engagement from Arcadia before the loan was declined."

In a letter to Frasers Group, Arcadia Chairman Andrew Coppel said that Arcadia's board had "discussed and given due consideration" to the offer but said that, while the group was "grateful for your interest", "we shall not be progressing it and, therefore, shall not be discussing the matter further."

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