Long Tall Sally to cease trading as pandemic adds to existing problems

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Jun 16, 2020

Specialist womenswear retailer Long Tall Sally is to cease trading, becoming the latest fashion sector victim of the coronavirus crisis. However, the company’s problems were bubbling under for some time before the pandemic hit with the lockdowns caused by the crisis simply being the last straw.

In an announcement on the brand’s Instagram account, it said: "The end of an era. We have to tell you we will be closing in a few months' time. Thank you to all loyal supporters, customers, friends and colleagues. Stay safe, stand tall, team LTS.”

COO Alison Doherty added: “The changing economics of retail, along with fierce competition have hit us hard. Trading has been incredibly challenging and we’ve relied heavily on shareholder support to bolster LTS. The very sudden and very profound impact of Covid-19 has further weakened our position. 

“The economic outlook is now too uncertain for our shareholders to continue to support the business so it’s with a very heavy heart that I must tell you we will be winding down Long Tall Sally. Please know we explored every possible avenue to continue trading, but the financial impact of the pandemic means the business is no longer sustainable.”

The 44-year-old brand is owned by Germany-based TriStyle and specialises in clothes for tall women. It's still operating its transactional website, but this is expected to close at the end of August. 

However, there’s a glimmer of hope that the brand could continue with reports that its owners are open to finding a buyer in the next couple of months.

The company has struggled since 2017 and two years ago launched a major cost-cutting programme that saw all of its stores closing and the brand becoming digitally-focused. 

But it was unable to get back to fighting strength so when the coronavirus crisis unfolded, it was already in a weakened state. 

The company employs 85 people, 66 of them in its London head office with most of its staff currently furloughed under the UK government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.