Everything must go as Comet faces shutdown (From Swindon Advertiser)

Everything must go as Comet faces shutdown

9:34am Friday 9th November 2012 in News By Scott D'Arcy

Buy this photo » Shoppers flock to the sale at Comet, in the Orbital Retail Park

SHOPPERS shot to Comet to take advantage of the liquidation sale announced by administrators yesterday.

The electrical retailer was placed into administration on Friday and administrators Deloitte have been searching for a buyer for Comet’s 236 shops since last week, although reports suggested stores could start to close next week.

The high street electricals market in the UK has come under huge pressure as cash-strapped shoppers put off purchases of big-ticket items, such as TVs and large appliances.

Gift vouchers for the stricken retailer were suspended on Saturday but the temporary ban was lifted on Tuesday.

At the Swindon store, in Orbital Shopping Park, shoppers rushed to get a look at the discounts on offer but many came away empty-handed while one member of staff said the rush had been “like Christmas but without the joy.”

Rosie, 35, from Wichelstowe, went to get a Christmas present after hearing about the sale on Facebook.

She said: “I came to get my hubby his home stereo for Christmas because it was a little bit cheaper here than elsewhere. The TVs were flying out the door and the store staff were a bit stressed, which is understandable.

“But it wasn’t too bad at the checkout – it was a struggle to get any help though.”

David Arnold, 70, of Lechlade, came away with just one computer product at 15 per cent off.

He said: “I just happened to be walking by and thought I would go in and see what they had – I managed to get 15 per cent off .”

The Comet website currently only offers a question and answer page, store locations and confirmation that gift cards will be accepted during the sale.

But it also warned customers that it is no longer providing refunds, and any goods ordered but not paid for prior to administration will not be delivered.

A Deloitte spokesman said of the sale: “The discounts are gentle. It's not a hard sale.

“We are not commenting on market speculation about store closures.”