Companies That You Expect to Disappear Soon

[richw]

temu

My Mrs saw a pair of boots for a function night out, £6. They served the purpose for the function we went to, although they are of a very poor quality. A similar pair at a reputable outlet were £200. Had she got the £200 pair they’d have sat in the cupboard for evermore and rarely be worn.
I’m happier she hasn’t spent a fortune on shoes and my bank balance is happier, she could have a new pair for 30 different functions and still have spent less.

 

[Peter Sarf]

temu

My Mrs saw a pair of boots for a function night out, £6. They served the purpose for the function we went to, although they are of a very poor quality. A similar pair at a reputable outlet were £200. Had she got the £200 pair they’d have sat in the cupboard for evermore and rarely be worn.
I’m happier she hasn’t spent a fortune on shoes and my bank balance is happier, she could have a new pair for 30 different functions and still have spent less.

Are the throw away society !.

 

[johntea]

Seen a lot of branded clothing stores vanish over the past few years, perhaps a combination of fakes / online / people not really caring as much these days

I've never seen the attraction myself anyway, I bought some T Shirts from Primark for around £2 a piece which far outlived some of my more expensive ones! Same with jeans my first port of call is usually M+S!

All my old clothing I donate to the local food/clothing bank rather than simply chucking out

 

[richw]

Are the throw away society !.

Nothings been thrown away. They’re in her shoe cupboard

 

[GoneSouth]

Nothings been thrown away. They’re in her shoe cupboard

It is still quite an undesirable business model though to mass produce as much crap as your factory will allow, gobbling up excessive resources and using excessive fuel to produce something which is designed to be as cheap and poor quality as possible. How much must the people working these factories be paid, hardly anything I’ll bet, then the garbage they’ve produced will go in a hole in the ground for ever more.

And our government only has £1 in VAT which probably just about covers the cost of handling the waste.

As you can tell, I’m not a believer the religion of cheap fast fashion!

 

[Peter Sarf]

It is still quite an undesirable business model though to mass produce as much crap as your factory will allow, gobbling up excessive resources and using excessive fuel to produce something which is designed to be as cheap and poor quality as possible. How much must the people working these factories be paid, hardly anything I’ll bet, then the garbage they’ve produced will go in a hole in the ground for ever more.

And our government only has £1 in VAT which probably just about covers the cost of handling the waste.

As you can tell, I’m not a believer the religion of cheap fast fashion!

Same here. I see it with the boys. "Its cheap anyway".

 

[Towers]

It is still quite an undesirable business model though to mass produce as much crap as your factory will allow, gobbling up excessive resources and using excessive fuel to produce something which is designed to be as cheap and poor quality as possible. How much must the people working these factories be paid, hardly anything I’ll bet, then the garbage they’ve produced will go in a hole in the ground for ever more.

And our government only has £1 in VAT which probably just about covers the cost of handling the waste.

As you can tell, I’m not a believer the religion of cheap fast fashion!

It is perhaps the very worst end of western consumerism; desperately poor people worked to death in factories pumping out complete tat that nobody needs, so that idle consumers in rich nations can have cheap trinkets to waste their disposable incomes on. I’m not sure it’s a bad “business model” as such, presumably there are some very wealthy factory owners around the world.

Of course, the whole process underpins the ‘powerful’ West’s total dependence on certain other states, and those state are very happy for the dynamic to continue. I’ve just been the to The Range, and it’s pretty much a warehouse filled with “Made in China” landfill. It’ll only ever be consumer conscience that puts an end to the relentless import of this sort of stuff, and frankly that isn’t easily found!

 

[Iskra]

It is perhaps the very worst end of western consumerism; desperately poor people worked to death in factories pumping out complete tat that nobody needs, so that idle consumers in rich nations can have cheap trinkets to waste their disposable incomes on. I’m not sure it’s a bad “business model” as such, presumably there are some very wealthy factory owners around the world.

Of course, the whole process underpins the ‘powerful’ West’s total dependence on certain other states, and those state are very happy for the dynamic to continue. I’ve just been the to The Range, and it’s pretty much a warehouse filled with “Made in China” landfill. It’ll only ever be consumer conscience that puts an end to the relentless import of this sort of stuff, and frankly that isn’t easily found!

While you are absolutely right that wealth and material wealth are usually attained at someone else’s exploitation; it has caused a general improvement in living standards in China.

My concern with Temu and such like, is how much of it is made by forced/slave labour by prisoners, or marginalised ethnic groups in concentration camp-like systems.

 

[Towers]

While you are absolutely right that wealth and material wealth are usually attained at someone else’s exploitation; it has caused a general improvement in living standards in China.

My concern with Temu and such like, is how much of it is made by forced/slave labour by prisoners, or marginalised ethnic groups in concentration camp-like systems.

I can’t claim to have any knowledge of Chinese working class society, only the horror stories we’ve all seen of suicides in iPhone factories and consumers allegedly finding pleas for help concealed within products. If these peoples’ lot has improved then I suspect it’s well overdue.

Completely agree that consumers need to consider the origins of their bargain internet purchases, as well as things like adherence to basic UK safety regulations which is often suggested to be a somewhat sketchy area with cheap imported items.

 

[jon0844]

All my old clothing I donate to the local food/clothing bank rather than simply chucking out

Sadly a lot of what you donate either via a clothing bank, or charity shop, will be binned and go into landfill. Likewise what you take to a recycling centre.. there's simply too much of it for anyone to realistically re-use it or even give it away.

Fast fashion is horrible! Perhaps not as bad if it was clothes made here and so not using materials shipped half way around the world and often moved back and forth during the manufacturing process, but with our higher labour costs I guess they'd still be more expensive than what Primark, H&M and others can source their clothes from - and the less said about Temu and the like the better. A lot of their stuff is not designed to last, so quality control can be saved to further increase profits despite thin margins.

The best way to reduce waste is to keep clothes longer (as I'm sure many people do) and not be tempted to buy that £1 T-Shirt for a one off occasion, but I get why people do it.

I don't purposely keep clothes for years, but I just don't like shopping for clothes.. and my wife is always pointing out on a Google Photo highlight from 10+ years ago that I've still got that same shirt or whatever.

 

[GoneSouth]

.. and my wife is always pointing out on a Google Photo highlight from 10+ years ago that I've still got that same shirt or whatever.

She should be congratulating you for this, just think of the money you’ve saved

 

[KT550]

She should be congratulating you for this, just think of the money you’ve saved

Yes.
Wear your shirts until the collars separate from the shirt.

 

[Towers]

TGi Fridays has finally crumbled, chain surviving for now but mass closures. News article below:

TGI Fridays axes 1,000 jobs and closes 35 restaurants despite rescue deal

Reports earlier today by hospitality industry union Unite Hospitality said that staff were shut out of sites with the locks changed.

www.aol.co.uk

From the article:

“Part of restaurant chain TGI Fridays has been bought by private equity firms Calveton and Breal Capital in a deal that will save 51 of the chain's 87 dining spots. Despite the sale, it's estimated there will be more than 1,000 redundancies.

Joint administrators at Teneo said the restaurants not included in the sale have been closed immediately, resulting in 1,012 job losses.”

Last time I ate in one in was pretty grim, very limited and dated menu and substantially overpriced. This was in Reading, which I’m surprised to see is staying open. The place looks half abandoned anyway! It’ll be interesting to see if the new owners are able to turn around the chunk they’ve bought, I rather suspect they may struggle in the long term.

 

[DavidGrain]

I have only had two experiences of TGI Friday. One when I friend invited me to the one in Birmingham and there other was when I was travelling on business and I stayed at a budget hotel, I forget where, who used the next door TGI Friday as their restaurant.
All I remember was the barman used to ring a bell every so often. I asked what that was about and was told that either some one had left a good tip or had told the barman a good joke.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Over ten years ago. Stepsons birthday treat. I left with a rare migrane. Cheap or old oil and very oily food. Nauseating just remembering it.
That was the TGIs on the outskirts of Croydon. Last time I walked past it it looked tired and rundown.

 

[SteveM70]

I've probably been to TGIs half a dozen times, once when one of the kids won a competition and it was part of the prize, and they made a real fuss of us and couldn't have been better

All bar one of the others as part of work groups when working away, and all of them bland and unremarkable other than the constant racket and the daft hats the staff wore. I think that's part of their schtick?

And the other in America, and it remains the single worst dining experience I've ever had. *Shudder*

 

[duffield]

I quite like a bit of greasy food but TGIF's version was a bit extreme even for me (still ate it though, it was OK otherwise). That was a few years ago though.

 

[Lewisham2221]

I can't help but think this is somewhat self inflicted...

About 20 years ago, TGI's was all about the party atmosphere - everything was a bit loud and in your face, the staff were enthusiastic and the menu was quite large and varied.

Fast forward 10 years and it was a complete change. The staff didn't stand out as anything different from other establishments. It was noisy, but there was no atmosphere. The party feels had gone. As had a huge chunk of the menu - with the most part of what remained being Jack Daniels flavoured. Extremely disappointing and, as the experience was repeated on a few visits to different branches in the space of a year or two, I haven't been back since.

 

[Harpo]

I left TGIF behind when their ‘FBI’s disappeared.

FBI (Frozen Black Irish) is Baileys, ice cream, vodka and crushed ice. I never asked about the calories.

 

[J-2739]

TGi Fridays has finally crumbled, chain surviving for now but mass closures. News article below:

TGI Fridays axes 1,000 jobs and closes 35 restaurants despite rescue deal

Reports earlier today by hospitality industry union Unite Hospitality said that staff were shut out of sites with the locks changed.

www.aol.co.uk

From the article:

“Part of restaurant chain TGI Fridays has been bought by private equity firms Calveton and Breal Capital in a deal that will save 51 of the chain's 87 dining spots. Despite the sale, it's estimated there will be more than 1,000 redundancies.

Joint administrators at Teneo said the restaurants not included in the sale have been closed immediately, resulting in 1,012 job losses.”

Last time I ate in one in was pretty grim, very limited and dated menu and substantially overpriced. This was in Reading, which I’m surprised to see is staying open. The place looks half abandoned anyway! It’ll be interesting to see if the new owners are able to turn around the chunk they’ve bought, I rather suspect they may struggle in the long term.

The one in Barnsley hadn't even made it to three years, which is a deep shame for the area. I didn't think it was too bad myself the couple of times I went there.

 

[jon0844]

Can most people afford to book a party at TGI Fridays or the like these days? Starters cost a fortune, mains are a fortune, drinks (especially cocktails) are a fortune, shots... You get the idea.

Sure, I'm older now, but I remember going out most weekends for meals at places like TGI Fridays, Chiquitos and other chains and knocking back the drinks and never going home hungry.. but you're going to be easily spending £50+ per person at one of these establishments if you're not just in and out with a single drink and main, which will still be around £30 minimum. Add in the cost of getting to and from the place, like a taxi or train, and it's always going to be an expensive night out.

That's why pubs have suffered too, with people going out for beers on a Friday night.. with many people more likely just going to their local Weatherspoons, or drinking at home.

With Private Equity deals, I can't see prices being cut anytime soon... and any deals will invariably be discount vouchers usable Monday to Thursday only etc.

 

[J-2739]

Can most people afford to book a party at TGI Fridays or the like these days? Starters cost a fortune, mains are a fortune, drinks (especially cocktails) are a fortune, shots... You get the idea.

Sure, I'm older now, but I remember going out most weekends for meals at places like TGI Fridays, Chiquitos and other chains and knocking back the drinks and never going home hungry.. but you're going to be easily spending £50+ per person at one of these establishments if you're not just in and out with a single drink and main, which will still be around £30 minimum. Add in the cost of getting to and from the place, like a taxi or train, and it's always going to be an expensive night out.

That's why pubs have suffered too, with people going out for beers on a Friday night.. with many people more likely just going to their local Weatherspoons, or drinking at home.

With Private Equity deals, I can't see prices being cut anytime soon... and any deals will invariably be discount vouchers usable Monday to Thursday only etc.

I wonder, as people start living more frugally, places like TGI Fridays become the first to be cut out of people's routines.

 

[SteveM70]

I wonder, as people start living more frugally, places like TGI Fridays become the first to be cut out of people's routines.

Its generally the middle ground places that suffer in recessions, across the board

The very rich will still buy clothes at Selfridges, those really struggling were already going to Primark, the people who went to Next start to trade down.

Same with eating out - people either stop, or get more perceived value so Pizza Express ==> Pizza Hut etc

 

[Towers]

Its generally the middle ground places that suffer in recessions, across the board

The very rich will still buy clothes at Selfridges, those really struggling were already going to Primark, the people who went to Next start to trade down.

Same with eating out - people either stop, or get more perceived value so Pizza Express ==> Pizza Hut etc

TGI would be very much at risk here, being a sort of ‘aspirational (i.e expensive) leisure’ venue which likely attracts mostly occasional visitors looking for what they perceive as a classy meal/night out.

 

[Mojo]

I wonder, as people start living more frugally, places like TGI Fridays become the first to be cut out of people's routines.

Based upon the venues closing and opening in my local area, it seems that these lower-end locations are being replaced with more upmarket venues. Mitchells and Butlers have just closed down the local Harvester and replaced it with a Browns, and they have replaced the Stonehouse Carvery with another more expensive brand. We have had a Cafe Rouge be replaced with a more fancy gastropub too.

I’m wondering is there a thought that if people are going out they want it to be a real occasion.

 

[jon0844]

People might indeed spend more for a special occasion, but do it less often. So a major birthday or anniversary, and less a regular birthday or office get together, leaving party etc. For these, you'd want something more upmarket

And why not cater for people who aren't affected by cost of living issues and are able to enjoy expensive nights out regularly. People who wouldn't likely set foot in a TGI Fridays at any cost.

 

[route101]

Last time I went to a TGIs the burger was around £20. They used to be under £15 until fairly recently.

 

[johntea]

The crazy thing these days is many people would rather pay Deliveroo an inflated menu charge plus £5 delivery plus service charge for a luke warm takeaway rather than make the effort to visit a sit down restaurant!

 

[Peter Sarf]

The crazy thing these days is many people would rather pay Deliveroo an inflated menu charge plus £5 delivery plus service charge for a luke warm takeaway rather than make the effort to visit a sit down restaurant!

This is what I perceive. Lockdown caused a rise in orders for food to be delivered. Since then people have not got back into the habit of going out. Might be less being eaten but certainly what is left is more likely to be delivered rather than eat-in. Deliveries a far far more common nowadays even from the likes of McDonalds - judging by the number of delivery drivers collecting sometimes exceeding the number of actual people in McDonalds for an eat in or take away.

 

[Towers]

The crazy thing these days is many people would rather pay Deliveroo an inflated menu charge plus £5 delivery plus service charge for a luke warm takeaway rather than make the effort to visit a sit down restaurant!

But, it’s often still cheaper overall than the same meal served in a restaurant with drinks, parking, staff tips and so on, plus it saves the time and effort of getting ready to go out and means you can sit in your own cumfy lounge and watch a box set etc. There’s also drinks; the price of alcohol has gone stratospheric in recent years, and if you can buy yourself a week or two’s supply of beers for about the same price as two or three would cost you in a restaurant, that makes a big difference.

I very much enjoy a proper, sit-down curry, but I have them delivered far more frequently than I go to a curry house!