Allders makes a comeback... via the internet

IN its heyday, as Britain moved away from post-war austerity, the Allders department store in the Headrow, Leeds, was the envy of every shopping centre outside London.

In 2005, after being placed into administration, all but one of the company’s 45 stores – the original Allders in Croydon – closed, and the name seemed destined to become a footnote in retailing history. But Allders is poised for a rebirth as it launches a new website, www.Allders.com

Andrew MacKenzie, the company’s chief executive, yesterday said that the company was considering opening a warehouse in Yorkshire to support the growth of its internet business.

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The Allders warehouse in Croydon will house and pack all the stock that is available online.

Mr MacKenzie told the Yorkshire Post: “The idea is to have a number of hub warehouses to serve a particular region. The Yorkshire area has been identified as a potential site. The brand recognition for Allders is still phenomenal.

“The future of large department stores and high street chains is increasingly dependent on a strong e-commerce offering.”

Mr MacKenzie said “silver surfers” were becoming more important, with around 67 per cent of people over the age of 50 shopping online.

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The Croydon store and Allders brand were bought by entrepreneur Harold Tillman in 2005. Mr MacKenzie added: “After six years of restoring profitability, we want to bring the brand back to every household in the UK, not by recreating the original stores, but by developing an easy and affordable online shopping experience so that everyone can enjoy a virtual department store.

“What I love about Allders, is that you could walk in to our store, with an empty house waiting for you, and come back with your entire wardrobe for every occasion and everything you need for your bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and living space.”

Allders has 1,000 staff and its turnover last year was more than £50m.