Key facts:

• 109 redundancies were made at the Glasgow head office and distribution centre at the point of administration.
• Interpath Advisory was appointed as the administrator for Quiz Clothing in February 2026.
• The administration trading period is anticipated to last until mid-May 2026.
• No offers have been received for the company’s business on a going concern basis.

The company has been trading for 33 years but faces significant challenges. Its debt includes £15.4 million owed to connected parties and £6.1 million to trade creditors for Orion Retail Limited. Additionally, Zesta Ventures Limited is owed approximately £6 million by the group. CEO Sheraz Ramzan stated, “The board took the difficult decision to appoint administrators to Zandra Retail Limited in light of the continuing challenging trading conditions impacting the Group’s performance.”

A stock clearance sale commenced immediately across all stores after the administration announcement. Gift cards and credit notes are unable to be honoured due to the administration. Officials have not confirmed when or if any of the 40 stores will close.

A decision regarding the fate of Quiz Clothing’s stores is expected within days as uncertainty looms over its future.

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Southern Co-op has reported three consecutive years of financial losses. It now stands on the brink of administration. Operating losses may exceed £20 million in the next financial year.

The company operates supermarkets, funeral homes, and coffee branches across southern England. A merger with the national Co-op Group is considered its best option for survival.

Members will vote on the proposed merger on May 6 and May 21. If they reject the merger, Southern Co-op will likely enter insolvency through administration.

“Southern Co-op has made losses for the past three years,” said company leadership. They emphasized that if the merger does not go ahead, insolvency is the most likely outcome.

The company has relied heavily on ongoing support from banks and suppliers to continue operating. Yet, that support cannot now be increased within the time available.

A cyberattack last year added strain to operations. This incident compounded existing financial challenges.

What happens next remains uncertain. The outcome of member votes on the proposed merger could change everything.

If approved, the merger could lead to combined sales of £11.5 billion and a total of 2,500 stores nationwide.

For now, Southern Co-op faces a critical decision point that could determine its future.

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The UK government is planning to ban retentions in the construction industry as part of a broader initiative to tackle late payment issues that cost the economy an estimated £11 billion annually. This significant reform aims to prevent small firms from losing retentions due to insolvency or non-payment.

The proposed ban is expected to transform cash flow and enhance business resilience for small firms, which have historically faced high insolvency rates exacerbated by poor payment practices. Currently, the construction sector accounts for 15.2 percent of all insolvencies in England and Wales, with 3,973 construction companies entering insolvency in the 12 months leading up to July 2025.

As part of this initiative, the Small Business Commissioner will be granted new powers to investigate poor payment practices and adjudicate payment disputes. Additionally, a 60-day cap on payment terms for large firms paying small suppliers will be introduced, along with mandatory interest on late payments set at 8 percent above the Bank of England base rate.

Peter Kyle, the Business Secretary, emphasized the urgency of this reform, stating, “Far too many businesses are forced to shut down because they have not been paid – that is simply unacceptable.” This sentiment reflects a growing concern within the industry, as 38 businesses shut down every day in the UK due to late payments.

The measures represent the most significant overhaul of the UK’s payment regime in over 25 years. David Frise, Chief Executive of BESA, described the ban as “a landmark moment for our industry and a hugely significant step forward for BESA members and the wider building services engineering sector.”

James Talman, CEO of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC), noted, “This outcome is one our industry has been campaigning for years to achieve.” The government is currently consulting on the implementation of the ban on retention payments, indicating a commitment to reforming the payment landscape in construction.

Details remain unconfirmed on the timeline for the implementation of these changes, but the proposed ban on retentions is anticipated to provide much-needed relief to small businesses struggling with cash flow issues. The construction industry has one of the highest insolvency rates of any sector, with insolvency rates in construction companies increasing by 2.5 percent from June to July 2025.

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