I’m not going to lie: 2019 has been a tough year. Not just for Any Old Lights, but for all retailers.
Political uncertainty, the state of the economy, the fall of the pound – they all add (deduct) up.
Here are just some of the vast – you’d have thought untouchable – major names that went bankrupt in 2019:
- Mamas & Papas
- Mothercare
- Vodafone
- Thomas Cook
- Karen Millan
- Jack Wills
- The Money Shop
- Bathstore
- Debenhams
- Select
- OddBins
- Hardy Amies
Each one represents job losses, people out of work, and a blow to Britain.
And then this Christmas ad comes along – homemade by independent retailer Hafod Hardware from Powys.
I’m not going to lie: it brought a tear to my eye.
Shop local this Christmas.