HOW TYCOONS MIKE ASHLEY AND PHILIP
sports giants in a bid to claim back some of the cost. But he was told he wouldn’t receive any money back.
He said: “I want them to refund me £35 as a gesture for their incompetence. They shouldn’t send out goods with half-price tags when someone has paid full price.”
Jim took pictures of the coat after it arrived at his home. It had pink card tags attached showing 50 per cent off and the new price.
He added: “I’ve ordered lots of things from them before and their stuff is good. But I’m not pleased that they have treated me like this. They need to improve their customer service.”
The ccontroversial business practices off PhilPhilip Green and Mike Ashley hahaveave bbrought both men under the scscrutiny of the House of Commons.
Meanwhile, allegations of bullyingg anand sexual harassment being silencedd by non- disclosure agreementss cocontinue to plague Green.
But retail analysts warn that thee papair could be the last big beasts leftt ststanding after the growing crisis enengulfn ing Britain’s high streets rereachese its peak.
Laith Khalaf, senior analyst at HHargreaves Lansdown, said the men’ss rereserves have allowed them to spreadd ththeir financial wings wide.
And a Sunday Mail investigationn totoday illustrates their increasing dodominance in fashion retail.
Khalaf said: “They are both wealthy inindividuals who have a buffer against popoor economic conditions. So it does hehelp that they have deep pockets.
“They have both built big empires andn an that has alloweddthemthem to divide theirh th interests quitete widely and exploitx ex opportunitiess as they arise.
“Stronger playersrs will stick around ar and when youu have tough times ti it’s the companiespanies that have ha financial strengthgth that will pull pu through.”
While chains suchh as New Look, Marks M & Spencer andnd Debenhams preparerep pr to shut in excess of 250 stores,tor st the two businessmenusinessmen are exploitingxpl ex volatile markets to increase theirhei th share of shoppinging units.
Ashley A owns Housese of Fraser, arguablyrg ar the mostst famous shopping sho landmarkmark of Scotland’s Scot biggest cities. ities. The Sports Direct t founder foun also has a 30 pper cent stake in I don’t think it worries people that those two businessmen own such a lot of the high street. I heard about the allegations against Philip Green. It doesn’t change my mind. But shop workers should have more protection.