The demise of Game raised questions about the outlook for specialist retailers as online competition and the incursion of the grocers into general merchandise categories continues.

The demise of Game raised questions about the outlook for specialist retailers as online competition and the incursion of the grocers into general merchandise categories continues.

But even as the entertainment group was collapsing, another once-troubled retailer showed that specialists can suarvive and thrive when the business model is correctly tailored.

Moss Bros, the suits specialist, is looking increasingly fashionable after returning to profitability 12 months earlier than had been expected.

Moss Boss was restyled by renewed focus on the core offer and the objective of being “the number one branded suits specialist”. That meant the sale of the Cecil Gee and Hugo Boss divisions and concentration on the eponymous business. There has been improved differentiation and segmentation of the core business such as the development of the Hire arm – which did especially well last year – and building the bespoke offer.

At the same time, changes have been made in-store and the retailer has been tightly run from a cost perspective.

The reinvigoration of Moss Bros has been impressive so far but remains at an early stage, although like-for-like growth has continued since the year-end.

But like Game, although to a lesser extent, Moss Bros needs to strengthen its multichannel capabilities.

The retailer reported that online sales rose “sharply” last year, but from a low base, and is recruiting an ecommerce director.

That should be done with all speed, because even in the world of suits a new generation of online specialists is emerging. A Suit That Fits, for instance, is still small but has created a real buzz and it is establishing a base of highly appreciative customers.

But if Moss Bros can keep up the rate of improvement it has delivered of late, evidenced by the first dividend payment for five years, the famous name should have a digital future as well as a venerable high street presence.