House of Fraser hit by deliveries wrangle after takeover
HOUSE of Fraser has taken its website offline amid complaints from customers about delayed deliveries since the company was bought by Sports Direct last week.
A message on the retailer’s home page reads: “We’re currently working hard to make some improvements to the website.
“Don’t worry, we will be back up and running as soon as possible.”
The halt to the website comes as The Times reported that employees at a key warehouse supplying products to House of Fraser stores and online shoppers have downed tools in a wrangle over delivery payment terms with Sports Direct.
The Times said it understood that workers at the chain’s distribution centre in Wellingborough have been told by XPO Logistics, which operates the site, to stop accepting goods and processing deliveries, leading to product shortages in some House of Fraser outlets.
XPO Logistics did not immediately comment.
Mike Ashley, the founder and chief executive of Sports Direct, announced on Friday that he was buying House of Fraser out of administration for £90m.
In a statement, which does not mention XPO Logistics, Sports Direct said: “Since the acquisition, the group has started meeting with various House of Fraser suppliers and concessions.
“Sports Direct is committed to creating stability as soon as possible, and building exciting plans for the future.”
House of Fraser has been warning customers of delays to some online deliveries following the recent change of ownership, saying on Twitter: “Regrettably, due to the recent change in ownership, some orders have been delayed.
“We don’t currently have a timescale for delivery. However, your order will be delivered as soon as possible.”
There has yet to be clarification as to whether the two House of Fraser stores in Wales, in Cardiff and Cwmbran, will close as previously planned before the Sports Direct deal.