BHS is making a comeback! Take a look at what the new online store will be selling.
High street favourite BHS is set for a re-launch, but only online.
It’ll be back this Thursday (September 29), just one month after the last branch closed.
The business was taken over by the Al Mana Group, a Qatari conglomerate that created BHS International after buying the BHS brand, BHS.com and the retailer’s international operations back in June.
Al Mana also works with international brands like Mango, Zara, United Colours of Benetton and Reebok.
The business will be led by managing director David Anderson, who refused to rule out a return to the high street one day.
“This is a new business. It’s an iconic British brand, steeped in history. Will we ever be international online or go back to bricks and mortar? In retail you can’t rule anything out, it’s ever-changing.
“Although we are starting again in the UK, we have a number of advantages over a typical startup. We are nimble and efficient, but with a great brand, strong customer base and a proven and dedicated team.”
There's no doubt this is a trimmed-down operation: before collapsing, BHS had 11,000 workers. The new online retailer has just 84
Most of the workforce were BHS employees before the firm went under, and Anderson says he hopes to employ more ex-BHS staff as the company grows.
The come back begins... 29.09.16 pic.twitter.com/YwZZQj4M21
— BHS UK (@BHS_UK) September 24, 2016
What’s on offer?
BHS online will sell around 75% of the products it previously sold in its web store including bedroom, bathroom and lighting products.
New clothing ranges will be available by November, aimed at people aged 35 and over rather than 45 and over as before. The clothing ranges are all newly selected, focusing on collections and “a lot more style”.
Prices will be “the same or lower” than they were before, according to Anderson.
“There will be the odd promotion, but not the spectaculars and mega days that the old business used to do”.
Any word on pensions?
Despite its revamp, the issues over BHS’ huge pension deficit still hangs heavy over ex-workers’ heads.
Former boss Sir Phillip Green said he was working on a solution “on a daily basis” for the company’s 20,000 pensioners.
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