Future of iconic SA clothing firm Trims hangs in balance as it enters administration Cheaper car registration for South Australians, Trims still in Limbo, and The Seekers' Judith Durham in good spirits following treatment for a brain haemorrhage A DECISION on whether iconic city retailer Trims can restart trading is likely to be made within 24 hours, administrators say. However, the fate of about 25 staff affected by the company's closure may remain uncertain for a while longer, with administrator Andrejs Strazdins of BRI Ferrier unable to guarantee they will receive all their entitlements if they are ultimately laid off. The family-owned clothing store was forced into administration on Tuesday after a downturn in retail left it unable to pay suppliers. Managing director Russell Trim yesterday described the decision as "a tough day in business" but praised the support of company suppliers, customers and staff. "You don't have to be a brain surgeon to know that retail in this country is on its knees," he said. Founded in 1937 by brothers Alf and John Trim, Trims' remaining city store was closed on Tuesday and yesterday as administrators undertook a stocktake to calculate the value of assets. Mr Strazdins said they hoped to make a decision in the next 24 hours about whether the business would be able to restart trading in its current form. An initial Trims creditors' meeting is set for May 24, while administrators have been contacted by groups interested in buying the company. Other options include the Trim family reopening the business or the company entering liquidation. However, Mr Strazdins played down the possibility of Trims needing to vacate its King William St location - which is not directly owned by the company - before its future is resolved. "We like to think we have a supportive landlord," Mr Strazdins said. Despite its iconic reputation, independent retail expert Martin Haese said Trims' experience demonstrated how the local retail market had become increasingly difficult for small to medium-sized retailers. "In recent years, retail markets have polarised in favour of either highly niche operators or larger national chain store operations," he said. However, in better news for local retail, Spring Gully Foods yesterday revealed it had been granted a 45-day extension of its voluntary administration because of an increase in demand.