More than 1,000 jobs are under threat after footwear chain Brantano collapsed into administration.
Joint administrators Tony Barrell and Mike Jervis of PwC said the group’s 73 stores and 63 concessions will continue to trade as normal for the immediate future but warned that job losses from its 1,086-strong workforce are inevitable.
The group’s estate includes major outlets at Dundee’s Gallagher Retail Park and at St Catherine Retail Park in Perth.
The administrators said the group – which was acquired by a company controlled by Alteri Investors last year – had experienced difficult trading conditions over a sustained period.
Significant efforts had been made to streamline the business to make it more commercially viable but those efforts fell short.
PwC said a sale of the company was explored and generated interest but no deal was concluded and the move into administration had been the result.
“Despite significant improvements in the business and reductions in the cost base, trading has continued to suffer in a depressed and competitive footwear market,” Tony Barrell, lead administrator at PwC, said.
“Like many other retailers, Brantano has also been hit hard by the sharp decline in sterling, the ongoing shift in consumer shopping habits and the evolution of the UK retail environment.
“The administrators are continuing to trade the business as normal whilst assessing the trading strategy and any interest in parts of the business over the coming days and weeks.
“However, regrettably, it is inevitable that there will be redundancies.
“Staff will be paid their arrears of wages and salaries, and will continue to be paid for their work while the business is in administration.”
