Clinton Cards places Birthdays chain into administration
There were cards of condolence for the 332 store Birthdays chain today with news that the company has been placed into administration by parent Clinton Cards. Birthdays is one of the best-known card retailers in the UK and was taken over by Clinton Cards back in 2004 for £46.4 million, in what was expected to be an earnings enhancing and very lucrative merger. However, the business has continued to make losses and with 50% of the chain failing to break even the painful decision was taken today.
Birthdays is just one in a long line of recognised and popular retail outlets which have suffered during the ongoing recession. The decision appears to have been taken to save the future of Clinton Cards which can now move forward without fear of further losses from the Birthdays division. However, the demise of the business has put over 2000 jobs at risk and is sure to add to concerns about the UK unemployment figure.
Unfortunately even if the UK economy were to recover tomorrow it is highly unlikely Birthdays will be the last well-known retailer to go under with an unexpected lag in the recovery on the high street against an eventual recovery in the UK economy.
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