Have you heard? A British department store has launched a gift registry for those who are divorcing and need to set up their new household (see full CNN story at http://bit.ly/6hhJEz). What a novel idea? As an attorney/mediator who has worked with many couples separating and dissolving their marriages or domestic partnerships, I have heard for years about the extra cost of starting over. I also experienced my own divorce years ago and remember well trying to economize as I set up a new home for my daughter and myself. Due to the current economy, some couples are even staying in the same house as they divorce due to extra expense of securing a second residence and furnishing the same.

With this retail concept, family and friends of the divorced can help by picking from a pre-selected list of items that their friend or family member needs. But, as the story points out, will the friends and family be willing to assist if they already gave a wedding present to the couple? Of course, it would depend upon how long ago the wedding took place. If it was recent and it just didn’t work out, there may be some reluctance to give again. However, if it was many years ago, family and friends may be willing to chip in and help with the necessities of a new place.

What do you think of this novel idea? I’d love to hear your comments about this retailing concept. Is it another ploy to generate business or is it a genuine customer need that the store is filling? Either way, you have to agree that it is an interesting twist on the wedding gift registry idea. Time will tell about whether it is successful.

This entry was posted on Friday, January 22nd, 2010 at 12:23 pm and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.