Shoe store Brantano enters administration

Footwear retailer Brantano has gone into administration, with almost 200 jobs in Scotland under threat.

Brantano will continue to trade while a buyer is sought

The company operates 140 stores and 60 concessions across the UK and employs around 2,000 staff, with 193 north of the Border.

The move comes just three months after Brantano, which has 19 stores in Scotland, was bought by an investment firm.

PwC lead administrator Tony Barrell said: “The continuing challenging conditions for ‘bricks and mortar’ retail stores are well documented.

“Like many others, Brantano has been hit hard by the change in consumers’ shopping habits and the evolution of the UK retail environment.”

Brantano was bought by retail investment firm Alteri Investors in October.

Barrell said: “The administrators are continuing to trade the businesses as normal whilst we assess the trading strategy over the coming days and weeks.

“Staff will be paid their arrears of wages and salaries, and will continue to be paid for their work during the administration.”

PwC deals partner Robert Moran was hopeful a new buyer could be found for the business.

He added: “We are now assessing interest in the UK Brantano business as a whole or its parts and we welcome approaches from interested parties.”

Alteri Investors bought Brantano as well as Jones Bootmaker from the Dutch-based Macintosh Retail Group for an undisclosed sum on 27 October. But PwC said Brantano has “experienced difficult trading conditions” since the sale. It added that Jones Bootmaker is not affected by the administration.

Brantano is one of the first sizeable retailers to collapse into difficulty this year after the key make-or-break Christmas trading period.