Sad news for fans of Sir Terence Conran and the European chain of affordable but stylish Habitat stores he started in the 1960s — The Daily Mail reports today, "The retailer, which has 33 stores in the UK, is expected to announce within days that it is being broken up."
Designer/retailer Terence Conran opened the first Habitat shop in London in 1964 and sold his own furniture alongside the work of other designers. Before the introduction of IKEA in the UK, Habitat provided modern design at affordable price points, and it expanded over the 70s and 80s throughout Europe. The Daily Mail reports "Sir Terence left the business long ago and Habitat lost its way under the ownership of the Kamprad family, heirs to the Ikea fortune." In 2009, Hilco UK purchased Habitat from the Kamprad family.
We'll keep you posted as news develops...
Latest update via Associated Press at 11 am EDT: "Habitat UK, the once-trendy home furnishings retailer, was placed in administration Friday with only three British stores assured of survival. Home Retail Group bought the U.K. rights to the Habitat brand, its website and three stores in London for 24.5 million pounds ($39 million) in a sale arranged through the administrator, Zolfo Cooper LLP."
As far as we know at this point, the brand's other 30 stores remain in administration, their future unclear.
AROUND THE WEB
• Door Shuts on Habitat, Chain that Took the Swinging 60s by Storm | Daily Mail
• Habitat stores enter administration as part of sale | BBC News
• Habitat UK in administration; brand, 3 stores sold | Associated Press
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Comments (13)
bummer - i was holding out hope they were going to reopen stores in the US.
Damn. There goes my hope for them opening in Canada! I loved going to that shoppe when I visit my friends in London.
Shame, though this does not surprise me. Their quality is often no better than Ikea, though considerably more expensive. Having said that, I have always liked their linens and lighting, and their trestle tables are a classic.
No surprise here. It's always been very poorly branded and the stores always looked unkempt.
But this is just about Habitat UK -- they are also in France, in Germany, Belgium, Spain too I think... what about those stores?
The only things I've bought there were the Dylan Freith toy vehicles and Columbian LaChamba cookware.
The Guardian reports that the 27 stores on the continent are being considered for purchase by a "major European business".
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/jun/24/habitat-faces-job-cuts?INTCMP=SRCH
I almost had a heart attack because for a second I thought the article was about ReStore.
At least there will still be a couple in London, eh? I had them on my short list of places to go while I'm over there in the fall - btw, has anyone ever ordered from them and had it shipped to the states? I've wanted to get stuff online, but had issues with shipping.
I second callaloo's comment. Minor freak out.
Very sad indeed. Although I hope it means a super sale at my local Habitat.
Crap. I really love Habitat.
Nooooooooooooo!!!
:( - come to Canada, we'll love you!