{"id":101169,"date":"2025-01-07T14:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-07T14:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/?p=101169"},"modified":"2025-01-07T14:22:53","modified_gmt":"2025-01-07T14:22:53","slug":"uk-stores-closing-in-january-full-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/uk-stores-closing-in-january-full-list\/","title":{"rendered":"UK Stores Closing in January: The Full List of Major Store Closures Revealed"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

For years, British high streets have been battling a perfect storm of challenges. The rise of online shopping, coupled with increasing operational costs, has forced retailers to reconsider their physical presence. According to recent figures from the Centre for Retail Research<\/strong>, a staggering 13,479 stores closed in 2024<\/strong>, with small independent retailers accounting for a majority of these losses. This marked a 45.5% increase compared to the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it\u2019s not just small businesses feeling the strain. Larger retail chains also shuttered over 2,100 stores<\/strong>, citing insolvency proceedings and cost-cutting measures as primary reasons. This growing trend highlights a sector under significant pressure, where store closures now average 37 per day<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Economic pressures, including increased employer contributions to National Insurance<\/strong> and a higher minimum wage<\/strong>, have compounded the challenges for businesses. Retailers, particularly those in lower-profit sectors, are finding it increasingly difficult to keep their doors open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

January\u2019s Closures: A Look at the Affected Brands<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

WHSmith<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This iconic retailer, known for its stationery and book offerings, continues to face difficulties on high streets<\/a>. Following the closure of its Boscombe branch<\/strong> in June 2024, WHSmith will now shut its Old Christchurch Road store in Bournemouth<\/strong> on January 18<\/strong><\/a>. Despite these closures, the chain is investing in travel-focused outlets, planning to open 15 new locations<\/strong> at airports<\/strong> and train stations<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shoe Zone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The budget footwear retailer Shoe Zone<\/strong> plans to close 20 locations<\/strong> this month. The company has cited rising costs, including those linked to government-imposed financial measures, as a key factor in its decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Homebase<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once a major name in DIY retail, Homebase<\/strong> continues to scale back after entering administration in 2024. While 70 stores have been saved, four locations remain on the chopping block, including sites in Derry\/Londonderry<\/strong>, Omagh<\/strong>, Inverurie<\/strong>, and Glenrothes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Greggs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Known for its sausage rolls and other bakery staples, Greggs<\/strong> has closed a branch in Coventry<\/strong>. While the company insists this is not part of a broader downsizing strategy, the closure has left local customers disappointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deichmann<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The German footwear chain Deichmann<\/strong> will close its Newport city centre store<\/strong> on January 11<\/strong>. Customers will need to travel to the Cwmbran location<\/strong> for future purchases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Look<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fashion retailer New Look<\/strong> is reassessing its footprint, with 25% of its 364 UK stores<\/strong> under review as leases come up for renewal. The company attributes this move to rising operational costs, which have accelerated the pace of closures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monki<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Part of the H&M group<\/strong>, the youth-oriented fashion chain Monki<\/strong> has announced the closure of two stores. The Newcastle Intu shopping centre store<\/strong> closed on January 2<\/strong>, with the Manchester Arndale Centre location<\/strong> set to shut its doors on January 17<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starbucks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Even the global coffee giant Starbucks<\/strong> is not immune to change. Two branches, including one on Dumfries High Street<\/strong>, will close this month. Staff from these locations are expected to be offered positions at nearby stores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Body Shop<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The eco-conscious beauty brand The Body Shop<\/strong> has confirmed the closure of two longstanding stores. Locations in Sheffield (Orchard Square)<\/strong> and Norwich (Castle Street)<\/strong> will cease trading on January 15<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matalan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Discount fashion and home retailer Matalan<\/strong> has shut its Chester store<\/strong>, citing plans to redevelop the site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Entertainer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The toy retailer The Entertainer<\/strong> closed its Edinburgh Cameron Toll shopping centre store<\/strong> on January 4<\/strong> after a decade of operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Iceland<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The frozen food retailer Iceland<\/strong> has closed two stores: one in Exeter (Alphington Road Retail Park)<\/strong> and another in Borehamwood (Shenley Road)<\/strong>. Selected Iceland products will continue to be available at nearby stores, such as The Range<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Lies Ahead for High Streets?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The closures highlight an ongoing challenge for high streets to remain relevant and sustainable. While some chains are pivoting towards smaller, more profitable locations in transit hubs<\/strong>, others are scaling back to focus on their online presence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The broader implications of these closures<\/strong> extend beyond shopping habits. They impact local economies, employment, and the vibrancy of community spaces. As more doors close, questions remain about how high streets can adapt to changing times and whether they can regain their place at the heart of British towns and cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For consumers and businesses alike, the beginning of 2025<\/strong> sets the tone for another year of significant change in the retail sector.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The face of Britain’s high streets is changing, as economic pressures and shifting consumer habits continue to take a toll on physical retail spaces. This January, another wave of closures is set to hit, with several well-known chains scaling back their presence or disappearing altogether. The impact stretches beyond mere convenience, touching communities, employment, and the future of traditional shopping districts. Which stores are at risk, and what does this mean for the UK’s retail landscape?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":2053,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,44],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-101169","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-economy","category-news","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33","no-featured-image-padding"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/101169","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=101169"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/101169\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":101180,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/101169\/revisions\/101180"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2053"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=101169"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=101169"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=101169"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}