The Harvey Nichols website has gone offline following the retail chain’s acquisition by Frasers Group. A holding notice on the home page says that the website is unavailable during “a period of transition” and reminds shoppers that the stores are open as usual.
The notice states that refunds and gift cards pertaining to the period prior to the Frasers’ takeover on 13 August “cannot be processed by Harvey Nichols directly”. Customers are advised to contact FTI Consulting (Harvey Nichols’ former administrator). The notice adds that orders placed after 13 Aug are subject to their standard refunds and returns policy.
New era for Harvey Nichols
Former owner Sir Dickson Poon put struggling high-end retail chain Harvey Nichols up for sale in June, with Next and Frasers Group bidding to take control. The retailer has been in business since 1831, when it first opened in Knightsbridge, but has experienced five consecutive years of losses.
Frasers acquired the business from FTI Consulting in a pre-pack deal on 13 August, with assets including Harvey Nichols’ portfolio of six stores, its online business, existing inventory and over 1,000 employees.
Harvey Nichols chief executive officer Julia Goddard said the acquisition by Frasers’ was an “important milestone” for Harvey Nichols and that she “look(s) forward to working closely with Frasers Group to build on the momentum already underway, driving sustainable growth through greater operational efficiency and enhanced infrastructure, and continued investment into customer experiences to ensure Harvey Nichols remains a distinct and relevant luxury destination for both our customers and brands.”
Changes to come
However, Frasers’ Group CEO Michael Murray hinted at the possibility of store closures and redundancies, saying: “Harvey Nichols is an iconic British institution with significant potential, but it is clear meaningful change is needed. The turnaround will require tough choices, and we are prepared to make those decisions, even if that means a smaller business in the near term, to create a stronger and more sustainable Harvey Nichols for the long term.
He added: “By integrating Harvey Nichols into our existing luxury ecosystem, we believe Frasers Group can deliver the expertise, infrastructure and commitment needed to give the business the best chance of long-term success.”
This closure of the website is the first change to Harvey Nichols’ business since the Frasers takeover. It remains to be seen how this fits with their long-term plans for the chain.
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