As Laura Ashley fights for survival, how do you revive a heritage brand?
Laura Ashley may have suffered torrid trading over the past few years, but it started 2020 by taking action to stop the rot. With a £20m loan secured and a new boss in post, can the heritage retailer do enough to survive?
Laura Ashley posted widening pre-tax losses at the interim mark earlier this month, while like-for-like sales slumped 10.4% and online sales slid 15.5%.
It’s a bleak picture for the once sought-after fashion and homewares brand – but new chief executive Katharine Poulter, former managing director at Wilko, is confident she knows how to revive the business’s fortunes, thanks to Laura Ashley’s outspoken customers and staff.
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