A WHSmith spokesperson acknowledged the difficulties, stating that the closures are due to specific locations becoming \u201cno longer sustainable.\u201d While the retailer continues to operate over 1,100 stores nationwide, it has committed to closing up to 20 locations annually over the next three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to financial pressures, the broader retail sector faces challenges such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
• Increased costs of operations<\/strong>: Rising expenses, including rent and utilities, have made some stores unviable.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
• Declining footfall<\/strong>: The shift to online shopping has significantly reduced traffic in high street stores.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
• Economic challenges<\/strong>: Inflation and reduced consumer spending have placed additional strain on retailers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

  Despite these closures, WHSmith plans to open 90 new stores in airports, train stations, and hospitals, reflecting a strategic shift toward locations with higher foot traffic and demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  Everything-Must-Go Sales<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

  In preparation for the closures, several WHSmith branches have launched clearance sales, offering customers significant discounts on stationery, books, and other items. These \u201ceverything must go\u201d promotions are an opportunity for locals to snag bargains before their stores shut permanently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  However, the sales also underscore the challenges faced by high street retailers, as reduced margins and heavy discounts further strain profitability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  The Broader Context of Retail Struggles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

  WHSmith\u2019s closures are part of a wider trend affecting the UK retail landscape. The British Retail Consortium reports that rising costs and changes in consumer behavior have led to the closure of over 13,000 retail sites in 2024<\/strong>, a 28% increase compared to the previous year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  Looking ahead, the Centre for Retail Research predicts an even more challenging 2025, with 17,350 retail sites<\/strong> expected to shut and over 202,000 jobs<\/strong> at risk. According to Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR, \u201cWe are likely to see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

  A Strategic Shift for WHSmith<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

  While high street stores face closure, WHSmith is doubling down on its expansion into non-traditional retail spaces. The company plans to open new outlets in airports, train stations, and hospitals<\/strong>, where customer demand remains strong. This approach aligns with its broader strategy to adapt to changing shopping habits by focusing on convenience and travel retail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  Additionally, WHSmith has introduced Toys R Us concessions within some UK stores, aiming to diversify its offerings and attract younger shoppers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  Full List of WHSmith Closures in 2025<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

  Here are the locations confirmed to close by May 2025:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  \n
  1. Bournemouth, Old Christchurch Road \u2013 January 18<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Luton, Bedfordshire \u2013 January 18<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. March, Cambridgeshire \u2013 January 25<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Basingstoke, Hampshire \u2013 February 1<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Newtown, Powys \u2013 February 15<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Winton, Bournemouth \u2013 February 15<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Rhyl, Denbighshire \u2013 February 15<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Bolton, Greater Manchester \u2013 February<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. Accrington, Lancashire \u2013 March 15<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. Halstead, Essex \u2013 April<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  11. Halesowen, West Midlands \u2013 April<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  12. Diss, Norfolk \u2013 April<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  13. Newport, Wales \u2013 April<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  14. Haverhill, Suffolk \u2013 April 26<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  15. Stockton, County Durham \u2013 May<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  16. Oldham, Greater Manchester \u2013 May<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  17. Orpington, Greater London \u2013 Date TBD<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      A well-known high street retailer has announced plans to shut 17 of its stores across the UK this year. The closures, which include locations already shuttered in January, highlight the struggles faced by the retail sector amidst rising costs and declining footfall.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":99993,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-102222","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-economy","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\/102222","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=102222"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/102222\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":102226,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/102222\/revisions\/102226"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/99993"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=102222"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=102222"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=102222"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}