A major high street chain with 30 UK stores has confirmed that one of its locations is shutting down, as closing sale signs have appeared in the shop window. Blacks Outdoor Retail, owned by JD Sports, is closing its store in Shrewsbury's Market Hall, according to the Shropshire Star.
Closing Down Sale Underway
Signs at the store read 'all stock must go', with prices slashed by 20%. The Shrewsbury closure is the latest in a series of closures for the outdoor retail brand. Last year, Blacks closed branches in Bury St Edmunds, Sheffield, Glasgow, and Leicester the year before.
Brand Revamp Despite Closures
Despite the closures, Blacks underwent a major brand revamp earlier this year, with five main stores receiving significant upgrades. Chief Executive Steve Knights stated in April 2026, "Blacks are evolving to reflect how outdoor lifestyles look today. Time spent in the city and outdoors increasingly overlaps, and our customers want gear that works across both."
He added, "This relaunch brings together considered retail spaces, curated product ranges and a modern digital platform - all designed to deliver a more relevant, inspiring experience while staying true to our outdoor heritage."
Heritage and Other Locations
Founded over 160 years ago in the 1860s, Blacks is a British outdoor retailer specializing in clothing and equipment for camping and hiking. It also has stores in Sheffield, Brighton, Jersey, Basingstoke, Cardiff, Dundee, Bath, Bristol, and Nottingham.
Wider High Street Trends
Blacks is among several high street brands that have shut stores in recent months. Poundland closed more than 100 stores over the last couple of years. Other chains like Rover Island and New Look have also closed outlets. Earlier this year, JD Sports Fashion revealed it closed 24 stores on a net basis in the UK over the past year, focusing on a strategy of "fewer, bigger, better" shops.
