House of Fraser has angered its suppliers by announcing that it will take ninety days to pay them. The department store group added that it its demanding a 5 percent discount on goods paid for before 1 January. According to media reports, the group has enraged its suppliers. This is said to be the most hostile action taken against suppliers by a British retailer. One wholesale supplier to the chain, Ted Baker, was "hopping mad", according to a report by the Scotsman. When contacted for a reaction, Ted Baker declined to comment. House of Fraser officials were unable to comment at press time.

House of Fraser was recently taken private by the acquisitive Icelandic retail group Baugur, Scottish entrepreneur Sir Tom Hunter and HBOS.