Harvey Nichols shuts website following Frasers takeover

Harvey Nichols website has gone offline following its acquisition by Frasers Group, with a notice reading that it will remain so while the new owners "complete a period of transition". The department store's physical locations remain open.

"We are pleased to confirm that Harvey Nichols has entered an exciting new chapter with new ownership, supporting its future, under Frasers Group", the website reads.

The shutdown of the online store, with no date given for its return, is the first visible customer-facing disruption since the ownership change took place last week.

The website notice adds that orders and gift cards purchased before 13 August 2026 remain the responsibility of the former ownership structure and therefore Harvey Nichols itself cannot process refunds for those purchases directly. Customers are asked customers to contact FTI Consulting instead.

Orders placed from 13 August onwards, the day Frasers Group completed the acquisition of the business, will be handled under Harvey Nichols’ standard refunds and returns policy, according to the notice.

Frasers Group acquired Harvey Nichols last week

Frasers confirmed last week that it had acquired the business, assuming control of Harvey Nichols’ online business, inventory and international franchise agreements, along with more than 1,000 employees. The transaction covered six UK stores in Knightsbridge, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds and Edinburgh – with all of these expected to continue trading until further notice.

The exception is the Harvey Nichols Dublin store, which will cease trading. While Frasers acquired stock and fixtures, the Irish company entered liquidation last week after the High Court heard it had net liabilities of €28.2 million.

Frasers acquired the business from FTI Consulting, which was appointed administrator in June after Harvey Nichols faced sustained trading and operational difficulties, which were highlighted in the its latest accounts.

For the full group revenue fell £184.8 million from £204.8 million in the year to the end of March 2025, while losses before tax widened to £49 million from £34 million. Its London store saw sales drop from £78 million to just under £69.5 million in the same period. It was the company’s fifth consecutive loss-making year.

Michael Murray, Chief Executive Officer of Frasers Group, described the business as having “significant potential” but requiring “meaningful change”.

He said the turnaround could involve “tough choices” and a smaller business in the near term as Frasers reviews Harvey Nichols’ store portfolio, cost base, operating model and organisational structure.

The acquisition plays into Frasers Group's luxury ambitions, placing Harvey Nichols alongside Flannels within the group’s luxury division and is intended to strengthen the group’s relationships with brands including Gucci, Moncler, Burberry, Prada and Dior.

Main image credit: Alamy