A COMET store is under fire for trying to boost sales by claiming to be closing down, even though it is one of the few stores saved from closure.

Bosses were said to have ordered staff to mislead shoppers at the Rayleigh Weir store by putting up signs saying it was one of the 27 stores across the country closed by administrator Deloitte.

One disgusted employee at the electrical retailer claims he walked out after being ordered to lie to customers.

Justin Taylor, 24, says he was sent an e-mail saying the posters were to be put up because they had proved effective in pulling customers in at other stores.

When he refused to put them up he says he was taken into an office and threatened with demotion, from supervisor to sales assistant, if he didn’t comply.

Mr Taylor, of Sharnbrook, Shoebury, said he felt it was immoral to misrepresent what was happening to customers.

He said: “Telling people you are closing down when you are not is a little bit off for me.
“They said they would put me down to being a sales colleague and it would go on my record. I handed in my keys and left.”

Administrator Deloitte have taken over the struggling company, overseeing the closures, including at Southend.

The stores that are closing down have seen reduced prices, but Mr Taylor said the prices at the Rayleigh store had stayed the same.


Yesterday, the store was displaying closing down posters.

Mr Taylor, who had worked there for two years, added: “I wasn’t going to be part of it and nothing they said was going to change my mind.

“I have done sales roles my entire working career and I have always lived by the principle I will do everything I can to sell, as long as I don’t lie to people. I believe in honesty.

“Having them say you have to go against everything you stand for wasn’t worth it for me.”

An Essex County Council spokesman said: “There may be a breach of conduct if stores were putting up posters stating that a store was closing down when they were not. We will refer the allegation to the Trading Standards service.”

A spokesman for Deloitte confirmed the Rayleigh branch would not be part of the November closures, but said: “If we cannot find a buyer then eventually all the stores will close. The fact  the business is in administration means the company is closing down.”

He wouldn’t comment on Mr Taylor’s claims.