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Recent statistics unveiled today (January 2) by the Centre for Retail Research indicate that over 13,000 traditional retail outlets shut down last year, with analysts cautioning that “darker days lie ahead” in 2025.
The investigation revealed a significant spike in UK retail store shutdowns, surpassing the previous year’s figures by more than 25%.
The findings indicated that 13,479 establishments, equating to 37 shutters closing daily, ceased operations last year. the majority were small, independent merchants.
Retail Store Closures Surge
According to the data, 11,300 independent retailers folded last year, marking a 45.5% increase compared to the previous year.
Major retailer chains shuttered 2,138 locations, and more than half of the closures were due to retailers undergoing some form of bankruptcy proceedings. Additionally, 5,942 shops were closed as part of cost-cutting measures, including retailers such as Boots and Shoe Zone.
The Impact of Store Closures
Professor Joshua Bamfield, Director of the Centre for Retail Research, commented: “While the 2024 results indicate that overall store closures were not as severe as in 2020 or 1993, they remain concerning, with an even bleaker outlook for 2025.”
Forecasts suggest that 17,350 stores could be shuttered in 2025, with approximately 14,660 of these expected to be independent retailers. In light of this, we have compiled a list of supermarkets, clothing retailers, and high-street chains anticipated to close their doors so far in 2025.
Co-op Store Closures
The Co-op is slated to close 19 food stores in 2025. The supermarket will shut down locations in the Midlands and East Anglia by May 2025, citing “financial sustainability issues.”
Of these, three will be converted into B&M stores, while the remaining 16 will be acquired by Samy Limited, an independent convenience chain operating brands like Spar, Londis, and Premier.
The Following Co-op Stores Will Shut
- Barnby Dun, High Street – South Yorkshire
- Broughton, High St – Northamptonshire
- Croft, Pochin Street – Leicestershire
- Desborough, Hill Top, Braybrooke Road – Northamptonshire
- Dudley, Overfield Road – West Midlands
- Eastwood, Nottingham Road – Nottinghamshire
- Enderby, Mill Lane – Leicestershire
- Kingstanding, Hawthorn Road – West Midlands
- Leicester, Evington Rd – Leicestershire
- Leicester, Narborough Rd – Leicestershire
- Narborough, Station Road – Leicestershire
- Peterborough, Mayors Walk – Cambridgeshire
- Sprowston, Chartwell Road – Norfolk
- Stafford, Baswich Lane – Staffordshire
- Wigston, Blaby Road – Leicestershire
- Yardley, Stoney Lane – West Midlands
- Cromer, Middlebrook Way – Norfolk
- Erdington, High Street – West Midlands
- Shepshed, Hallcroft – Leicestershire
The closure spree will also encompass six funeral homes. Notwithstanding these shutdowns, Co-op announced it would open 75 new stores in 2025, with up to 80 additional stores undergoing major renovations.
Shoe Zone Store Closures
Shoe Zone plans to close 20 or more of its locations, with managers attributing the closures to the Labour Party’s proposals in the October Budget.
The retailer stated that the Chancellor’s decision to boost employers’ national insurance contributions and the minimum wage resulted in “substantial extra costs.” The company has yet to disclose which stores are at risk of closure.
WHSmith Store Shutdowns
Additionally, WHSmith is poised to close branches in the coming year. WHSmith is set to shut its Winton branch in Bournemouth, Dorset, on February 15.
WHSmith Travel Division Expansion
Early this year, the retailer unveiled plans to establish approximately 110 new outlets at airports, railway stations, and hospitals, reorienting its focus towards its travel sector. WHSmith will also launch 37 new Toys R Us concessions within its stores.
The Entertainer.
The Entertainer’s Edinburgh Location Shut Down
The Entertainer will close its store at the Cameron Toll shopping center in Edinburgh on January 4. The store opened in 2014.
Monki
Monki Stores to Close in 2025
Monki, a member of the H&M group, will close seven of its UK stores this year. The Intu Eldon Square shop in Newcastle upon Tyne will shut today (January 2), followed by Manchester Ardane on January 17.
However, some Monki stores will merge with one of its other brands, Weekday. An H&M spokesperson previously stated: “A limited number of Monki stores are intended to be transformed into multi-brand Weekday destinations, while others are intended to be closed.”
“The newly formed Weekday multi-brand destination will cater to customers’ high aesthetic standards while embracing their multitude of unique expressions.”
Millets
Millets Stores to Rebrand or Close
Outdoor specialists, Millets, are also closing some stores early in 2025. Lowestoft, Douglas, York, and Grimsby stores are scheduled for a makeover and will be rebranded as GO Outdoors.
However, Millets announced that the Burgess Hill store in West Sussex is closing permanently this month.