The flight path to ruin: Thomas Cook demise is a 'wake-up call' for high street brands

What lessons can be learned from travel company's collapse?

The recent collapse of Thomas Cook has highlighted the need for high street brands to adapt to the changing needs of consumers if they are to survive, according to industry experts.

The tour operator, which has seen its share price obliterated, went into administration last Monday, leaving 150,000 holidaymakers stranded.  Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said news of the collapse is "another nail in the coffin for the UK high street, which is now littered with uneconomical stores that are facing closure". Is the death of the High Street greatly exaggerated? Thomas Cook's demise will see about 600 stores close down, but it is just one casualty of the decline of retailers, with Sainsbury's being the latest to announce store closures in an effort to fo...