Edinburgh Woollen Mill “has ended business with House of Fraser” as negotiations fail

Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group (EWM) has pulled all of its stock from House of Fraser following an announcement yesterday that had closed it concessions.

According to Drapers, vans will be arriving as early as today to remove all EWM stock from House of Fraser’s entire store network.

House of Fraser currently stock numerous EWM concessions including Calvetron Brands, Jane Norman, Berwin & Berwin and Jaeger, and also uses EWM to manufacture its own branded goods which will also be pulled.

“The group has ended business with House of Fraser,” an EWM spokesperson told Drapers.

“This decision was not taken lightly and follows a period of extended and sustained negotiations with House of Fraser.

“Our brands have a long history with House of Fraser, and we worked hard to try to secure a satisfactory arrangement. But sadly we have not been able to agree future trading terms that give us confidence in the security and continuity of the House of Fraser business.

“We have been forced to close our concessions in House of Fraser, and are currently in the process of withdrawing stock. Berwin & Berwin will also no longer supply any House of Fraser own-brand menswear.

“We remain firmly open to discussions with House of Fraser, and hope they will engage with us.

“We have also received a firm guarantee from the top management of Sports Direct that all sales since the takeover will be paid in full on 10 September, and anticipate that that guarantee will be honoured.”

This follows news on Monday that negotiations between EWM and House of Fraser’s new owner Sports Direct had broken down, leading it to instruct its concession staff to “ensure that no goods/products are sold” at any of its concessions.

In an email to staff EWM also told them to prepare for its stock being pulled, including instructions remove all confidential data from the premises and to pack stock by brand into boxes.

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