Porsche were in the same position a few years ago, they added SUVs to their range which are now their big seller and allows them to continue with making their 911s and things like the 918.

Jaguar were also in a similar position, they added regular sedans and estates to compete with BMW, Mercedes and Audi.

Same with brands like Waitrose, they added an essential range. Doesn't mean their deli counter or fish counter has no longer got some of the best products you can buy.

The whole of the fashion industry, a segment that has always led the luxury image, has changed rapidly over the last decade, they have all gone from exclusive and hard to get to readily available and a much more achievable price point. They have had to because peoples perception of what is important to them has changed.
Many people in my shop sniff at paying £100-150 for a pair of trousers or £250 for a shoes, these shoes may last them a life time, yet they usually come into my shop after eating across the road where they have just spent £120 on lunch. When you stop and think about it, it makes no sense. But it is happening, people's priorities are changing and if you don't adapt you die.

For the first time in a long time we are putting back in basic knitwear, V necks and Crew necks in nice wools and cottons at £45 (last season are starting price was £80 for Barbour). We haven't stopped doing Smedley at £138, or Slaith Cashmere at £220, but we realised that we were missing a big chunk of the market by not having an entry price point.
If our shop's top end knitwear was £45, it wouldn't be a desirable place as such, but putting £45 knitwear in a shop that also sells knitwear at £350 makes that £45 piece more desirable. This is a very important marketing tool that Meridian seem to be missing out on.

I did some consulting for a large footwear company last year, and noticed the same thing, it was looking at someone else's company that made it glaringly obvious that I wasn't doing it within my own company. Sometimes I think we need someone else to point out the obvious.

The other thing we have seen from fashion houses, motor industry, gadgets etc. etc. is a constant drip of info, whether that be product 'leaks' or a flash of 'concept' products to the general public. They can then gauge which products the customer actually wants.
This is where Meridian are going back in time, this closed lipped attitude is archaic and will be their downfall. Why not use the customer to find out what the customer wants? Everyone else is.

These are the areas where I believe Meridian is going wrong. There is no entry point, there are no products that keep the cash flow turning and to get new customers on board, and not talking to your customer just makes matters worse.

Unless there is a serious change, Meridian will disappear up their own arse.

No Darling, I've had it months!