The administrator of Sneakerboy is urgently reviewing stock levels as customers fume

The administrator of luxury shoe outlet Sneakerboy is ‘urgently’ reviewing its inventories to check whether pre-sales can be honoured, while offers for the business are fielded.

The administrator of collapsed luxury shoe retailer Sneakerboy is “urgently reviewing stock and inventory levels’’ in a bid to assess whether pre-sales can be honoured.

The Sneakerboy group of companies, owned and operated by Nelson Mair and Theo Poulakis, was placed in administration late last week after several attempts over the past three years to wind up a number of its entities.

The administrator, Hamilton Murphy Advisory, said on Wednesday it was aware that a number of customers had pre-purchased stock prior to the company being placed in voluntary administration on July 2.

“As part of the administration process, Hamilton Murphy Advisory is urgently reviewing stock and inventory levels held by Sneakerboy and consolidating that information for customers and creditors,’’ the administrator said in a statement.

“As soon as all of this information has been collated, the administrator will be in contact with all customers to discuss their customer orders within the week.

“We are urgently expediting this part of the administration process as we understand the concern that some customers have.’’

The administrator said it was continuing to field “numerous expressions of interest from parties interested in purchasing the business and assets of Sneakerboy as a going concern’’.

“The companies have previously held discussions with parties who have expressed an interest in purchasing the business.

“These discussions are now being urgently escalated by the administrator as part of the voluntary administration process.’’

Sneakerboy’s Queensland outlet was closed last year.

The debt position of the group has not been released at this time.

The number of winding up applications lodged against companies in the group stands at more than 10 over the past three years, with Luxury Retail Group also facing a number of legal actions over the past year or so, including a $1.2m claim from the Australian Taxation Office for unpaid superannuation and taxes, and a $148,000 claim from Adidas, which sought to have the group wound up early last year.

Sneakerboy closed its Brisbane store and removed its listing from its website in early April, leaving it with three stores in Victoria, at Southwharf DFO, Chadstone Shopping Centre and a flagship store on Little Bourke St, as well as a store on George St, Sydney.

The company, which sells high-end footwear such as Alexander McQueen sneakers, which sell for more than $800, and Moncler snow boots which go for $1300, launched a surprise online warehouse sale in June, offering discounts of more than 70 per cent on some items, and this week had an online-only sale again offering steep discounts through its website.

News Corp Australia has been contacted by former staff employed by the group, one of whom says they are owed more than $10,000 in pay and entitlements.

Sneakerboy customers have been venting on online forums, with the company’s Trustpilot rating sitting at 2.2 out of five, with 72 per cent of ratings lodged rating it as “bad”.

“Do not order anything online from Sneaker boy they DO NOT HAVE ANY STOCK!!!’’ one review reads.

“I had to go into their store and demand a refund.”

Another reads, “I purchased a $200+ sweater over 2 months ago’’.

“Still hasn’t arrived. I’ve sent countless emails, Instagram messages and phone calls and no response. Will be taking this to consumer affairs.’’

News Corp Australia has been unable to contact Mr Mair and Mr Poulakis.

The first creditors’ meeting will be held on July 13.

Originally published as The administrator of Sneakerboy is urgently reviewing stock levels as customers fume