WHSmith Peckham to close on May 18th

[UncleBen]

Smiths have been rubbish for years. Once upon a time it was the shop for everyday stationary, books, etc. But not for years. Our poor cousins in Peckham should be more concerned about what will replace the store!

[dbboy]

Clearly tge warning signs started when Clinton's shut up shop, however if Smiths had re-organised the store, sold things people wanted at reasonable prices and interacted with customers in a helpful manner they would have stood a good chance of survival. Especially as they have a captive audience being the only local stationary/book shop in the area.

[bon3yard]

Yeah, its had that desperate dog-eared look that Woolies developed in the latter stages for a few years now. Teetering shelves of cheap tat and cut price books.

[DJKillaQueen]

I'm with SJ....all these changes/ closures are market forces in action. We don't go to shops to buy books anymore....I buy all mine online because they are cheaper and I can get whatever I want, no matter how obscure. Old established retailers need to change their business models to reflect that, or they will die.

The other factor is disposable income. The local demographic of Rye Lane do not have the kind of disposable income required to sustain the kind of niche (or more expensive chain) shops that everyone seems to crave for LL or Bellenden Raod. Again, just another cold hard fact. Too many people are struggling financially at the moment.

[*Bob*]

Gas and Electricity showrooms.. I still miss them terribly.

[DJKillaQueen]

lol.....oooh now that beings back some memories.......

[Bic Basher]

DJKillaQueen Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I'm with SJ....all these changes/ closures are

> market forces in action. We don't go to shops to

> buy books anymore....I buy all mine online because

> they are cheaper and I can get whatever I want, no

> matter how obscure. Old established retailers need

> to change their business models to reflect that,

> or they will die.

>

> The other factor is disposable income. The local

> demographic of Rye Lane do not have the kind of

> disposable income required to sustain the kind of

> niche (or more expensive chain) shops that

> everyone seems to crave for LL or Bellenden Raod.

> Again, just another cold hard fact. Too many

> people are struggling financially at the moment.

Not to mention the supermarkets. Why would you go into Smiths for a RRP hardback when you can go into Tesco and buy the same book for under ?10.

Morrisons will become the defacto chain 'Newsagent' in Peckham from next week, it also sells a limited selection of chart and back catalogue paperbacks.

[Sue]

Peckhampoet Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Two brands that have really lost their way in

> recent times. No longer a pleasure to shop in

> either with their tired interiors and lacklustre

> offering.

xxxxxxx

Totally agree.

I have been expecting both of them to go under for years, can't understand how they've kept going .....

[Peckhamrye]

And Poundland etc. can fill most of your toiletry and stationery needs at a fraction of the price.

[kerrylb]

Fingers crossed it turns into a pound shop, money transfer shop, nail shop or fried chicken shop all of which we could do with.

[UncleBen]

No, that area needs another bookies