I wasn't too sure where to put the news of Hattons closing down the shop but haven't been bought out by another company.
Please check their website for further information, they maybe changing over to a online shop instead of a permanent basis at a later date.

No, they say that 'marketing conditions have changed so much they can't see a viable way of carrying on'.

Yet again manufacturers selling direct from the factory wrecking the retail chain maybe? 

These are the interesting bits of the statement:

QuoteThe company is NOT insolvent. The company is being wound down in an orderly fashion, leaving no outstanding debts.

Good. Sounds like they've seen the writing on the wall for a while and are doing the sensible thing.

QuoteChanging market conditions have had a large impact on the business, we have seen this in declining customer numbers, changing customer demographics and supply chain disruption.

Translation: modellers/model railways enthusiasts are getting older on average and dying out or becoming incapable of carrying on. Younger enthusiasts (interestingly, I've ONLY seen younger people in Hobbycraft over my last two visits) are far more likely to buy online since a) they're used to it as the default, and b) they're much less likely to drive. Also, the cost of living has impacted the volumes that everybody is buying.

QuoteIncreased cost of compliance has become a large factor. Brexit, GST and other operational costs of running an international business have all increased dramatically over the past few years.

I suspect that they're running an import business directly but with only a limited number of UK outlets (their shop, their website, maybe a few other shops). This probably isn't viable any more unless you're a national-scale importer serving a large-enough retailer base to absorb those increased costs and have economies of scale in your warehousing, distribution and back-office operations.

They were at Telford last year offering to buy up peoples kit stashes. They may have realised there's not a good market for all the old kits even if they do only take the better quality offerings for resale.

Might be worth keeping an eye on their site, looks like they are offering discounts already on Airfix etc.

Quote from: Nick on January 09, 2024, 05:41:22 AMThey were at Telford last year offering to buy up peoples kit stashes. They may have realised there's not a good market for all the old kits even if they do only take the better quality offerings for resale.

Might be worth keeping an eye on their site, looks like they are offering discounts already on Airfix etc.

They had a double-page advert in December's Airfix Model World offering to buy kits too, although that may have been bought and paid for some time ago.

I had a look at the site and as far as I can tell, all the discounts so far are on railway stuff.

Always sad to lose any hobby shop.