Howards Storage World interest stacks up

There is a "high degree of interest" from prospective buyers in the collapsed specialist storage retailer, Howards Storage World, despite continued challenges in the retail sector.

Voluntary administrator, David Lombe from Deloitte, said, "We're receiving calls from various parties even though our advertisements haven't gone in at this point, they will go in this week.

"But nevertheless the news of the collapse has caused people to be interested in calling us about that expression of interest."

Questioned on the cause of the collapse, Mr Lombe told Fairfax Media retailing was "very difficult at the moment".

"I think they were pursuing a number of different strategies, some of which worked, and some of which didn't so that's kind of contributed to it. We will be having a look at it down the track."

It's unclear how much money the retail owed, but creditors include employees, landlords, suppliers and the tax office, Mr Lombe said.

The first creditors' meeting will be held on December 20.

Howards Storage World has 59 stores across Australia, including 30 franchised stores that are unaffected by Friday's collapse. It has also expanded overseas.

It says it sells "space saving and organisational products for the home and office". Customers say while its range is good, it is far more expensive than its rivals such as Ikea.

Howards Storage World started in Sydney's lower north shore in the 1970s with a shop called "Stack and Store."

Founders Les and Edda Howard formed a partnership to expand the business in 1997, working with Dirk Spence, who according to material on the company's website, is chief executive.