Major high street retailers set to close 10 stores before end of month
High street retailers are facing more closures as fans express their disappointment over the loss of beloved stores. Health and beauty chain Boots is set to close three branches before the end of January, while Co-op, Clintons, and HMV will also bid farewell to customers in the coming weeks. The Centre for Retail Research reported that over 10,000 shops and nearly 120,000 retail jobs were lost in 2023. The rise of online shopping, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, has dealt a blow to the high street. Additionally, high energy and wage costs, as well as inflation, have forced many businesses to close their doors.
Co-op
Supermarket chain Co-op will be closing its branch in Peacehaven, East Sussex on January 20. The closure was announced through a sign placed on the door of the store. Co-op assured that the affected staff are receiving full support and directed customers to the next nearest branch in South Coast Road.
Boots
Health and beauty retailer Boots will be closing three branches before the end of the month. The Margate, Kent store will shut its doors on January 20, leaving the town with only one Boots location. Two more stores in Wigan, Greater Manchester, and Littlehampton, West Sussex, will close on January 26 and 29, respectively.
Flannels
Flannels, located in Market Place Shopping Centre, Bolton, will be closing on January 24. The store opened just last year but will now be shutting down. The Frasers Group, which owns Flannels, stated that it is committed to finding new roles within the business for affected staff.
Clintons
Card retailer Clintons will be closing its Haverhill, Suffolk branch on January 24. The closure follows the company's decision to shut down 38 stores in order to avoid administration. Clintons currently operates 179 shops and employs 1,400 people nationwide.
Peacocks
High street fashion chain Peacocks will be closing its Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk branch on January 25. A sign on the store's window in the Arc Shopping Centre confirms the closure. Shoppers have expressed their disappointment, calling it "a shame" and lamenting the further loss on the high street.
HMV
Entertainment retailer HMV will be shuttering its Boston, Lincolnshire branch on January 27. The closure is attributed to shifting consumer behaviors. Local residents are expressing anger and frustration, emphasizing the need for support among retailers during tough times.
Jack Wills
Jack Wills, also owned by The Frasers Group, will be closing its Bristol branch on January 30. The Galleries Shopping Centre store launched a closing down sale last month, offering 20% off items. The next nearest branch can be found at The Mall in Cribbs Causeway.
Store Openings
Amidst the closures, there is some positive news for retailers. B&M is set to open two stores in Porthmadog and Washington on January 18 and January 26, respectively. Asda has plans to open 1,000 more sites throughout the UK and Northern Ireland by March 2024. Wilko is also expanding, with new store openings in Plymouth, Luton, and Exeter.
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