Paloma announces closure in Cascades after hot summer hits retail
Ding Dong sister store set to close at end of the year
A women’s clothing store which opened in the summer will close after a “very difficult” time for retail.
Paloma, which stocks a range of Italian clothing and accessories, will close once its lease is up on December 31. Signs have appeared in the store situated at Cascades Shopping Centre, Portsmouth, revealed a closing down sale with all clothing listed at £10.
The shop is run by the owners of Ding Dong, also in Cascades, and was opened as a trial after the clothing sold well in their original store. With a short term six month contract co-owners Carl Marodeen and Danny Elsom wanted to test the waters before committing to longer term.
However, Carl has said that the hot summer has done retail no favours.
He said: “To be brutally honest, June and July were just a killer for retail. It was so hot, people just went to the beach.
“We have been quite busy lately since the closing down signs have gone up and we have three months until we close. Retail is very difficult, it is not an easy time and lots of people shop online and use Amazon. The weather hasn't helped either. We will see how the next few months go and fingers crossed.”
Once Paloma closes, any left over stock will be sold at Ding Dong. While the summer has been tricky for both stores, Carl is hoping Christmas will bring a change of fortunes, especially with some of the exciting new items on the way to Ding Dong, a homeware store which stocks quirky and unique items.
Carl said: “We have some exciting new lines coming up in Ding Dong, Christmas and Halloween lines. We have lots of great pieces of furniture as well which are doing really well.”