Online furniture and homeware retailer MADE.com has this morning confirmed that it has entered into administration.
The collapse of the company comes after the retailer – which was founded back in 2010 by Brent Hoberman, the Lastminute.com co-founder, and Chinese entrepreneur Ning Li – went public last year with a valuation of £775 million following what was said to be a “stellar sales performance” during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sales then began to fall away, however, when COVID restrictions came to an end and customers started to complain about the long waits and delayed deliveries for their orders.
MADE.com suspended trading shares over a week ago, and its market value then slumped to £2.1 million.
Up to 500 jobs are now believed to be at risk following the collapse.
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News that that MADE had filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, and that the company was “exploring all options” – including an accelerated sale of all of parts of the business – began circulating last week.
Online furniture retailer MADE has entered into administration / Credit: made.com
Administrators at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) were beginning the task of selling the company’s other assets and paying off its debts to creditors – but now it’s been announced that the company has officially entered into administration.
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It has also been confirmed today that rival retailer Next has snapped-up the MADE.com brand, its website, and intellectual property.
Speaking as the business goes into administration, Nicola Thompson – Chief Executive of MADE.com – said: “I would like to sincerely apologise to everyone – customers, employees, supplier partners, shareholders and all other stakeholders – impacted as a result of the business going into administration.
“Made is a much loved brand that was highly successful and well adapted, over many years, to a world of low inflation, stable consumer demand, reliable and cost efficient global supply chains and limited geo-political volatility – but that world vanished, the business could not survive in its current iteration, and we could not pivot fast enough.”
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The retailer has shared a message of its notice of intention to appoint administrators on its website / Credit: made.com
Ms Thompson confirmed that the brand “will now continue under new owners.”
Co-founder Ning Li said shortly before the firm’s collapse that he had submitted three proposals to MADE.com’s board and PwC to buy back the company, but he claimed his offer had been rejected.
He wrote in a statement on LinkedIn: “Apparently, it would be preferable to break the company up and sell it in pieces to generate a little more cash.
“It makes no sense to me, but I wanted you to know that I really tried.”
Featured Image – made.com
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A Christmas train in Wigan has been delivering donated toys galore
Thomas Melia
Yuletide wishes have come true as a donation of toys and goodies have been delivered via a Christmas train in Wigan, right in time for the big day.
The Amazon toy train, which is a new initiative running this festive season, is dropping off presents from now right up until Christmas day itself.
Already visiting Wigan earlier this month, the locomotive has its sites set on three more stops including London, Swansea and Scotland as it makes its journey across three nations.
In partnership with Multibank’s Brick-by-Brick project, the train hopes to provide and offer gifts to families in need across the UK with Wigan marking the closest stop off in Greater Manchester.
Credit: Lee Boswell (supplied)
All the toys that are being transported across the country in this Amazon-fronted train are featured on the company’s ‘Top Ten Toys 2024’ list.
Hatchimals, Screamerz and Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza were some of the exciting gifts found on the Christmas train in Wigan at the start of this month.
This lighthearted and fun-filled Christmas-themed project is kitted out with toys from top brands like Play-Doh and the brickmasters themselves, LEGO Star Wars.
So far, Multibank has helped over 400,000 families and provided three million essential items across their operations in England, Scotland and Wales since launching in 2022.
This collaborative local project doesn’t just operate at Christmastime either: Brick-to-Brick Multibank run all year round collecting surplus business requirements like furniture, hot water bottles and hygiene products to be used by those less fortunate.
The Christmas train in Wigan filled with Amazon’s top toys.The Wigan toy train features some well known brands.Credit: Supplied
This roster of children’s favourite companions and interactive games is inspired by the consumers themselves. Every toy is related to or the exact match of what Amazon customers have been searching for the most. A real Christmas list come true.
The list of the top toys isn’t extortionate either, offering customers some affordable and still as fascinating options with prices starting from £9.99.
Even old-school classics like Play-Doh have a spot on this wish list. This poses the really big question: where’s the adult version?
You may have finished your Christmas shopping not too long ago or might still be looking for inspiration, browse the top-ranked teddies and more HERE.
Floral tributes laid for Baby A after remains found in Salford, as police hunt ‘answers’
Daisy Jackson
Floral tributes have begun to pile up outside the Salford park where the remains of a baby were found earlier this week.
The child, who is being called Baby A, was discovered near Ashtons Field on Wednesday 20 November.
Their identity is not yet known, and police are trying to determine ‘who this baby could be, how long they have been here, and how they have sadly died’.
In an update shared last night, GMP said their investigation was continuing and the force will do ‘everything we can to get answers’.
They also shared images of cuddly toys, flowers and letters that have been left at the snowy scene by officers and by the local community.
In the latest update, GMP said: “Our investigation continues after the remains of a young baby were tragically found in Little Hulton yesterday.
“The thoughts of everyone at Greater Manchester Police are with Baby A, and we will do everything we can to get answers.
“We would like to thank the community for their tributes to Baby A and their support and compassion at this time. We are truly grateful.”
Floral tributes laid for Baby A after remains found in Salford. Credit: GMP
GMP are appealing for anyone with any information to come forward so they can ‘find answers for this baby’.
Chief Superintendent Neil Blackwood said: “Even the most minor detail could be crucial to our investigation. If you have seen anyone in the area over the last few days, or know who the parents could be, please call us as soon as you can.
“As soon as we are in a position to confirm further details about the circumstances, we will do so.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log 1319 of 20/11/24. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Emily Sergeant -
9th November 2022 
