Harvey Nichols Dundrum Store Faces Uncertainty as Gift Cards and Online Orders Pre-Liquidation Go Unhonored

The Irish company behind the Harvey Nichols store at Dundrum has entered provisional liquidation, leaving customers unable to redeem gift cards or fulfill online orders placed before August 13th. John Boland and Nicholas O’Dwyer of Grant Thornton were appointed joint provisional liquidators last week following a High Court hearing that revealed the business's insolvency, with net liabilities of €28.2 million at the end of the 2026 financial year.

This situation follows the sale of the UK parent company to Mike Ashley’s Frasers group via a prepack administration process in the UK. Frasers has provided support enabling the Dundrum store to reopen on Saturday and continue trading for the time being, as the liquidators explore potential sales of the business. A notice on the store's website states that online operations are currently unavailable, and transactions prior to August 13th fall under the previous ownership structure. Customers seeking refunds from this period are directed to contact HNCustomers@fticonsulting.com.

The liquidators confirmed they have made arrangements for the Dundrum store to resume trading from August 15th. This arrangement allows the business to continue operating and receive stock while they evaluate available options. They stated that continued trading aims to preserve the business's value, maintain employment, and explore possibilities for a sale or other transaction beneficial to stakeholders. However, they cautioned that the outcome of this process remains uncertain.

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The arrangement allows the business to continue trading and receive stock while the JPLs assess the options available to the company. Continued trading helps preserve value in the business, maintain employment and provides an opportunity to determine whether a sale or other transaction can be achieved in the interests of the company stakeholders. At this time, there can be no certainty as to the outcome of that process.

Regarding gift cards and online orders, the liquidators are continuing their assessment. They advise that gift cards cannot currently be accepted in-store and recommend customers retain them pending a further update. The status of online orders is also under review. Frasers, in a statement to the London Stock Exchange, confirmed the acquisition of certain assets at the Dublin store, including stock and fixtures, and indicated ongoing discussions regarding the business's future, with continued support for trading operations.

The Dundrum store, which opened in 2005 and employs 33 staff, pays over €1 million annually in rent. An employee noted that while staff were aware the store was for sale, the confirmation of insolvency and inability to meet debts came as a surprise.

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The situation regarding online orders is also still under review.