"it depends".Another one to fail in the UK recently was...

"it depends".

Another one to fail in the UK recently was venerable wealth management and trustee outfit EQT (Equity Trustees), although fortunately not involving a high percentage of capital.

In contrast, REH (Reece the well known plumbing supplies company) is at an early stage of what it says is a '20 year journey' into the USA. It seems to be doing well although gross and net profit margins are lower than in Australia, probably due to greater competition. It had previously expanded into New Zealand. It's concentrating on the so-called sunbelt states, and has already rebranded its Californian stores into 'Reece'.

Similarly, RWC (Reliance Worldwide) that manufactures plumbing fittings is doing well in the USA, and so is JLG (Johns Lyng, the catastrophe rectifying builder and owners' corporation specialist). Latter is at an early stage though.

None of the above sell anything remotely close to NCK's offerings in furniture.

Having been to the UK twice in the last 20 months, the state of its economy wasn't apparent as hard for tourists to judge, but UK media is downbeat and so is much of its large population. Immigration is seen as too high, and not the desired individuals, strikes have been a problem and dissatisfaction with the Tory government is high. No one expects the latter to win the 2025 general election.

My guess is there remains a substantial percentage who are 'cashed up'. They are the individuals NCK will target.