The UK’s retail landscape is experiencing a wave of closures, with major retailers shutting down branches across the country. This trend, which has been ongoing for months, is a stark reminder of the economic challenges facing the sector.
Among the latest casualties are popular women’s fashion brand Bonmarché and shoe shop giant Clarks. These two retailers join a growing list of high-profile closures, including Boots, Homebase, WHSmith, and Pizza Hut, all of which have announced store closures in recent weeks.
According to the Centre for Retail Research, approximately 804 stores closed and 16,565 retail jobs were lost in the first five months of this year alone. This trend has continued, with home improvement chain CTD Tiles closing 56 branches, supermarket giant Tesco shutting down an Express store, and Beales bidding farewell to its Southport location.
Closures Scheduled for September:
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Homebase:
The retailer will close its Cambridge Retail Park branch on September 13th. This closure is part of a deal with Sainsbury’s, which will see some Homebase locations converted into Sainsbury’s supermarkets.*
Bonmarché:
The brand’s Arnold, Nottingham branch will close on September 22nd due to increased rent. MP Michael Payne expressed his disappointment, highlighting the store’s importance to the community and its employees.*
Clarks:
The shoe shop giant will close its Gowthorpe, Selby branch on September 14th.*
WHSmith:
The stationery giant will shut its Stanley Square store in Sale on September 14th due to redevelopment plans.*
Boots:
The pharmacy giant has been closing stores following a review of its estate. While specific dates for September closures haven’t been announced, over 250 stores have already shut down, with more closures expected by early October. The goal is to reduce the chain’s store portfolio from around 2,200 to 1,900.*
Pizza Hut:
The Surrey Quays Leisure Park location will close its doors for good on September 14th, alongside the Odeon cinema and Hollywood Bowl. The closure is part of a redevelopment project that will transform the area into a housing estate.These closures highlight the ongoing challenges facing the UK retail sector, which is struggling with changing consumer habits, rising costs, and increased competition from online retailers. The impact of these closures is felt by communities, employees, and the overall economy. While some retailers are closing stores, others are making plans to expand their presence. Bonmarché, for example, has announced plans to open new stores between 2024 and 2025. However, for now, the trend of store closures continues to dominate the retail landscape, leaving many to wonder about the future of the high street.
