A-Wear Gone Into Receivership

whitewave

Soptted this on her.ie

http://www.her.ie/news/top-irish-fashion-retailer-has-gone-into-receivership/

Such a pity, hopefully as many of the Irish stores as possible will stay open

Toto Wolfcastle

Pity. They've had some nice stuff lately. I feel bad for the staff. Hopefully as many jobs as possible can be saved.

The Blanch store was supposed to have 20% off full price items tonight as part of the centre's discount night. That would have been a busy night for them.

SusieBlue

Sad to see this, especially when they employ so many people, but I think the quality in A/Wear has gone seriously downhill in the last few years. I don't even bother going in there any more, really. I think the clothes are poor quality, and all the outside brands they carry can also be bought in New Look so they don't even have that exclusivity any more.

I think the quality and variety isn't great for the price. I can't remember the last time I bought something in there.

Legs.Eleven

I used to really love A Wear and asked my sister for a voucher for it last year but was really disappointed. Perhaps if they raised the quality again, it might get the shoppers in.

lubie76

I see their website isn't working tonight... Just a coincidence?

Toto Wolfcastle

lubie76 wrote: »

I see their website isn't working tonight... Just a coincidence?

No, it was taken down for the same reason that all the shops are closed.

Sheela

Sorry to hear this, especially for their staff so near to Christmas

Stench Blossoms

I love AWear

Hopefully it works out.

April O Neill II

WhiteRoses wrote: »

Sad to see this, especially when they employ so many people, but I think the quality in A/Wear has gone seriously downhill in the last few years. I don't even bother going in there any more, really. I think the clothes are poor quality, and all the outside brands they carry can also be bought in New Look so they don't even have that exclusivity any more.

I think the quality and variety isn't great for the price. I can't remember the last time I bought something in there.

Same as that, and I always used to shop there. Haven't bought anything in A-Wear in years. The quality isn't great and there's so much competition for both comparable and lower prices from the likes of New Look and ASOS, both of which carry better quality clothes.

Ilyana 2.0

I always thought their prices were way off-point for the quality of the clothing. They have had some nice pieces lately but I guess it wasn't enough.

I feel for the staff though, losing your job at this time of year must be a nightmare.

lubie76

Bobblehead Panda wrote: »

No, it was taken down for the same reason that all the shops are closed.

Gosh I didn't think it'd be as quick as that... The poor staff!

convert

Like so many others here, I used to love A-Wear, but I found the last 18 months or 2 years that there was very little I liked and the quality had really disimproved, especially the jeans. I used to get all my jeans in A-Wear. It's awful for the staff so close to Christmas.

herisson

My local a wear closed up yesterday and today, the whole shop was cleared out.

I actually quite liked the bags they had.

omb0wyn5ehpij9

A Wear in Dundrum was closed last night, but was in Dundrum again this morning and it was back open

April O Neill II

April O Neill II wrote: »

Haven't bought anything in A-Wear in years.

Correction. Actually a jumper from them online a few months ago! But it was literally the first thing I bought there for probably over two years.

I think in addition to the poor enough quality, A-Wear lost its unique selling point in recent years. I loved it as an undergrad because it was cheap, well the next step up from Penneys, so I could get decent enough jeans for 30 Euro. But now I can get great jeans from many places for that! God bless online shopping, but it's been a huge factor in A-Wear's downfall, I reckon.

And its clothes just aren't very exciting. Topshop, whilst more expensive and not a great step up in quality, has that slight edgy, fashion-forward, experimental appeal.

mood

I don't think online shopping has much to do with it. I just don't really like their clothes in recent years and of course the quality just got worse and worse.

April O Neill II

mood wrote: »

I don't think online shopping has much to do with it.

I'd disagree. A lot of businesses that have gone to the wall in the last few years haven't helped themselves by not diversifying or changing their business plan to deal with the rise of online shopping.

A-Wear had its own site but it wasn't great, and had started to feature on ASOS but it seems it was too little too late.

Online shopping gave people more options for keenly-priced clothes. The fact that A-Wear clothes weren't of particularly great quality was something they could no longer get away with, it seems.

Freiheit

I've vouchers there, for more than one hundred euro, so wondering now whether they have any value?. I will miss it a lot:(, the staff were lovely, very welcoming and helpful, unlike the jungle that is penneys and I did like the styles. Hopefully it isn't the end.

fillefatale

April O Neill II wrote: »

I'd disagree. A lot of businesses that have gone to the wall in the last few years haven't helped themselves by not diversifying or changing their business plan to deal with the rise of online shopping.

A-Wear had its own site but it wasn't great, and had started to feature on ASOS but it seems it was too little too late.

Online shopping gave people more options for keenly-priced clothes. The fact that A-Wear clothes weren't of particularly great quality was something they could no longer get away with, it seems.

I totally agree. Its a shame that millions of euros are going overseas from Ireland rather than being spent in Irish retailers - they didn't go online soon enough and now are feeling the consequences.

I was never really a fan of A-Wear, used to buy stuff there when I was in secondary school but there was little that distinguished them from UK high street stores. I got a lovely blazer there a few months ago for €15, which originally retailed at €60 and theres no way I would have paid that originally. Its the first thing I bought there in about 4 years.

Such a shame that more Irish jobs are lost, I hope some of the stores can be saved.

fall

I know someone who works there. At the moment they are saying that only Dundrum and Grafton street will stay open to sell off stock. Then it will close permanently. Article in the Times the other day saying they have changed ownership 3 or 4 times in the last five years. The companies that took them over were experts at turning around failing businesses. None of them succeeded. Sad for all.

Freiheit

And what do you think would be my best bet for the vouchers?

fall

Try to ring the dundrum or Grafton street store.

Toto Wolfcastle

Someone said in their FB page that they tried to use vouchers but they wouldn't accept them.

Freiheit

Rang them and was given the number for Kavanaghs. Rang them and they are not open today, other than reception, said they will call me tommorrow but not hopeful. Girl from A-wear was friendly and said today is her last day.

suitcasepink

I was in Dublin yesterday the the Awear shop on Grafton Street is definitely still open at the moment anyway

Miaireland

I used to buy the odd work top from Awear however I did buy a top for an occassion there that had beading and sequins. Everyone there could tell where I was by following the trail of beads and sequins. I was disgusted as it was quite expensive for Awear and this put me off them.

However I did always find the staff there very helpful and feel sorry for all who have lost there jobs.

bscm

Was told that the Grafton Street store was only offering exchanges instead of returns and they won't be accepting any vouchers (this was on Friday), unless someone buys the company and the situation changes.

purplecow1977

Blanchardstown store was open yesterday

dollybird2

Feel so sorry for the staff of Awear. Never had a bad experience staff wise in any of their stores.

Personally, I used to spend the majority of my wages each week in Awear. The clothes were reasonably priced, decent quality and in keeping with trends without being OTT. Their jeans particularly were fantastic. You could pick clothes off the peg without trying them on as their sizing was spot on.

In recent years, the clothes have become of a poorer quality with regard to material used & washing labels. It seemed that they tried to introduce an edgier feel to their clothes,but personally it wasn't appealing to me. Some items looked like they belonged in the bargain bin in other outlets, but carried a 60 Euro price tag.
Also, sizing changed. I went from a 10/12 in all my AWear clothes (that I still wear years later) to being anything up to a size 16. I tried on a blue stripy skater style dress there about 18 months ago and a size 16 would not close on me. Perhaps they had employed vanity sizing... if they did it was working on this customer.

I do think as a brand it is well known, popular and could be rescued with a few overhauls.

Ilyana 2.0

I've just remembered that the last pair of jeans I bought, which were the closest thing to perfect I'd found in ages, were from A-Wear. Drat.

Sunny Dayz

I've been quite the fan of A-wear for many years. I didn't realise that so much of my clothes came from Awear til I looked in my wardrobe over the weekend! I will agree with others in that the quality of the clothes has suffered in recent years. The stores had also introduced other cheaper quality brands which did them no favours.

But I liked Awear because it didn't slavishly follow trends. I felt awkward in TopShop or River Island at times with the little crop tops, ass-exposing shorts and super super skinny jeans on the rails. To me, Awear had "normal" clothes that I felt I could wear out in public.

There was never an Awear near me, so anytime I went to Dublin or Galway or Letterkenny (the other half's neck of the woods) I had to go to Awear! It opened in Athlone a few months ago but I don't know whether it was poor displays or poor stocking but nothing really seemed to jump out or excite me like in other stores. I was actually in two minds about driving up to Dublin yesterday just to go to Awear for any bargins!

Lastly, the poor staff, losing their jobs so close to Christmas. Could the receiver not have held on a few weeks, with people buying party dresses, etc on the run up to Christmas and clear out the stock rooms then for the post-Xmas sales?

jellie

It's very sad to see an Irish company of 25+ years go

I used to work there, the last 2-3years have been so tough on all the staff, so many takeovers, redundancies, etc. everyone in that office worked so hard to make the best of the brand & to try turn things around. everyone who worked there genuinely loved Awear. Very sad for everyone who has lost their jobs, & very sad to see my favourite shop disappear

April O Neill II

dollybird2 wrote: »

Their jeans particularly were fantastic

Really? I've always found their jeans to be poor enough quality.

dollybird2 wrote: »

Also, sizing changed. I went from a 10/12 in all my AWear clothes (that I still wear years later) to being anything up to a size 16. I tried on a blue stripy skater style dress there about 18 months ago and a size 16 would not close on me. Perhaps they had employed vanity sizing... if they did it was working on this customer.

If it was vanity sizing, you'd find you'd start fitting into smaller sizes, not bigger.

miezekatze

dollybird2 wrote: »

Feel so sorry for the staff of Awear. Never had a bad experience staff wise in any of their stores.

Personally, I used to spend the majority of my wages each week in Awear. The clothes were reasonably priced, decent quality and in keeping with trends without being OTT. Their jeans particularly were fantastic. You could pick clothes off the peg without trying them on as their sizing was spot on.

In recent years, the clothes have become of a poorer quality with regard to material used & washing labels. It seemed that they tried to introduce an edgier feel to their clothes,but personally it wasn't appealing to me. Some items looked like they belonged in the bargain bin in other outlets, but carried a 60 Euro price tag.
Also, sizing changed. I went from a 10/12 in all my AWear clothes (that I still wear years later) to being anything up to a size 16. I tried on a blue stripy skater style dress there about 18 months ago and a size 16 would not close on me. Perhaps they had employed vanity sizing... if they did it was working on this customer.

I do think as a brand it is well known, popular and could be rescued with a few overhauls.

Totally agree with this. I also used to be a regular customer there, but bought hardly anything in Awear over the last year or two. The quality just got so much worse and I think things like dresses etc. also got more expensive.

I hope some of it can be saved.

SusieBlue

The last time I was in there was about 18 months ago, I was desperately looking for a dress for a last minute event. I didn't see anything I remotely liked, but I saw one dress that was "okay".

It wasn't amazing, but when I tried it on, I said I'd buy it if I didn't see anything better around the shops. The colour wasn't great, the fabric was a bit flimsy and it wasn't super flattering, but it'd "pass".

Assumed the dress was about €50-60 at most, it was only when I was putting it back on the rack that I noticed it was €95 :eek: For a grey standard short sleeved skater dress! That was the turning point for me, I couldn't believe it was so outrageously priced and swore I wouldn't go back, which I didn't.

Agree with PP that the staff were always lovely and helpful. I feel very sorry for them.

dollybird2

April O Neill II wrote: »

Really? I've always found their jeans to be poor enough quality.



If it was vanity sizing, you'd find you'd start fitting into smaller sizes, not bigger.

Yes i found their jeans fantastic quality wise & fit.

I meant that perhaps vanity sizing had been used prior to 2012, after which i personally found a big change in their clothes both size wise & quality wise

Toast4532

I rarely bought anything in A|Wear, I always found them to be over priced for the clothing and quality of the clothing they sold.

The last time I purchased anything from them was about 2-3 years ago in an online sale. I bought a coral top for €8, and haven't been able to wear it due to it being see through. Never bothered returning it as it wasn't worth it.

I'm not in the least bit surprised to hear it's in receivership, I feel bad for the staff losing their jobs so close to Christmas though, awful timing and situation for all involved.

meeeeh

It says here that vouchers and gift cards will be honored up to December 24th.

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/retail-and-services/four-a-wear-shops-continue-to-trade-in-receivership-1.1615658

Freiheit

Oh that's great Meeah, I have more than a hundred Euro worth and would obviously hate to loose them completely.:) Brown Thomas have already expanded into the Limerick city centre one, so I assume it won't reopen.

fifapeeps

I am recently moved to the UK and was such a fan of awear I ordered a load of clothes for my birthday and XMas . that was on the 26th of Novmeber. I got an email on the 27th saying it had been shipped and on the 28th I heard it had gone into receivership. I haven't got my package. I've tried emailing and ringing and I am getting nothing back! I am really worried. I saw on the thread that they are honoring gift cards which is a good sign but does anybody know what I should do? any advice would be greatly appreciated. I am very worried. spent alot as I had got money for my bday....disaster

Toast4532

fifapeeps wrote: »

I am recently moved to the UK and was such a fan of awear I ordered a load of clothes for my birthday and XMas . that was on the 26th of Novmeber. I got an email on the 27th saying it had been shipped and on the 28th I heard it had gone into receivership. I haven't got my package. I've tried emailing and ringing and I am getting nothing back! I am really worried. I saw on the thread that they are honoring gift cards which is a good sign but does anybody know what I should do? any advice would be greatly appreciated. I am very worried. spent alot as I had got money for my bday....disaster

If you do not receive your item you should speak to your bank about starting a charge back.

Good luck, I hope you get sorted.

QuiteInterestin

Only vouchers/gift cards bought after the 8th October are being honoured in my local awear Have one since September. Like alot on here, I used to love Awear and it was my first port of call when clothes shopping. In the last 2 years though I found the quality and fit of the clothes had dropped drastically. Sizes seemed to be all over the place and whoever the clothes were being designed to fit just wasn't me e.g. tops in my size that fitted on the shoulders and body but sleeves so tight I couldn't bend my arms etc. Being trying to spend the voucher since September but hadn't seen a single thing I liked or that I felt was worth what they were charging. Hope they find a way to turn it around and bring it back to what it was.

uli84

yeh, my gift card not accepted either. some random rule just to screw people

dee_mc

The Sligo store was open yesterday if that's any good to anyone, heard someone say they will close just after Christmas.

Freiheit

Yes same policy on vouchers in Limerick in the Crescent as well,my were fortunately dated 12th October, open until 4th January

hotbabe1992

On the plus side in A-wear i saw a lot of pricing on clothing marked down. Didnt buy anything as the other posters said the quality is not up to much.

Although there was a nice leather sleeved classic black asymmetric zip coat for 80 euros,i didnt see a mark down on it though

Unless youre buying the odd top thats really on trend and you have to have it and its a bargain etc etc i wouldnt really buy most of it is overpriced and poor quality in the material.

Freiheit

Used most of the value of my voucher today, albeit not sure how much anything will be worn. A dearth of sizes 10-14 and not many 16 or 18. Mostly only small and extra small. Got a gift for my sister with my voucher also, I hope that she will wear what I bought, but I don't know. Felt like hens pecking a carcass.

Sunny Dayz

Does anyone know if a-wear stores are still open? Thinking of taking a trip to Dublin tomorrow and wouldn't mind one final shop as it used be one of my fav stores.

Tope

Yes, I passed by the Grafton Street branch yesterday and they were open. Didn't have time to go in but looked like pretty much everything was reduced in the sale.
Sad to see them go too, I used to buy quite a few things there myself.

Cherrycoke

the store in Limerick was closing today. Couldn't believe the prices still yesterday, way over the top. It's no wonder they're closing down :rolleyes:

Sunny Dayz

Anyone know if the store in Dundrum is still open?