Missguided: shoppers’ rights as Manchester online fashion retailer enters administration

Online fashion retailer Missguided has gone into administration, it has been confirmed today (31 May).

Administrators from Teneo have been brought in after Missguided failed to find a buyer.

Teneo is now trying to sell the business and assets of the retailer, which employs around 330 staff from its Manchester base. The company has been going since 2009 and had launched several collections with famous names and influencers, but has been hit by inflation, rising costs and contracting consumer spending.

Administrators have said the business will continue to trade while they seek to sell off assets and say that there has been a “high level of interest” - with a number of big retailers, including Manchester-based Boohoo, reported to have shown interest in the fast fashion brand.

Gavin Maher, of Teneo, said: “As we continue to see, the retail trading environment in the UK remains extremely challenging.

“The joint administrators will now seek to conclude a sale of the business and assets, for which there continues to be a high level of interest from a number of strategic buyers.

“We thank all employees and other key stakeholders for their support at this difficult time.”

How will it affect Missguided shoppers?

The firm’s website is still taking orders today, as is typical when a retailer goes into administration, as they seek to sell off assets and stock, and no further update has been given on how long this will continue.

If you have already placed an order with a retailer and it goes into administration, you should contact the retailer directly if you need a status update on your items - Missguided has a track-my-order page here. Money.co.uk advises most retailers will typically keep helplines open until they have either closed down or been taken over if a new buyer is found.

If a company for some reason is unable to fulfil an order you have already paid for, you can apply to use your bank’s Chargeback scheme if you paid on debit card or Section 75 if you paid on credit card for an item worth over £100. You’ll need to contact your bank directly to explore this option.

If you paid some other way, and your order fails to be fulfilled, then you may need to lodge a claim with the administrator but there is no guarantee you will get some or all of your money back.

If you have gift vouchers for a retailer in administration, you should try to spend these while the retailer is still trading, or you may not be able to get the value back later.

Citizens’ Advice has more useful information on your rights here.