A major card retailer has launched a massive closing down sale at one of its Oxfordshire branches, with discounts of up to 50% as it prepares to shut its doors for good.
Didcot Store Set for January Closure
The Cardzone store located in the Didcot Shopping Centre will cease trading on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Clearance signs have been posted in the shop windows, alerting customers that "Everything must go" ahead of the impending closure. The family-owned business, established in 2005, operates approximately 150 stores nationwide, but this particular branch is now winding down its operations.
Wider Retail Turbulence Hits High Street
The closure forms part of a broader pattern of challenges on the British high street. Fashion chain River Island is proceeding with a significant restructuring plan, closing 33 stores by the end of January 2026. Affected locations include major cities such as Edinburgh, Leeds, Oxford, Brighton, and Perth. This follows a series of earlier closures in Chesterfield, Corby, and Omagh.
Furthermore, the retailer has secured High Court approval to reduce rents at an additional 71 shops as part of its survival strategy.
Poundland Continues Restructure with More Closures
Discount giant Poundland has also announced further cutbacks, with 14 more stores scheduled to close by early February 2026. This is in addition to 19 closures previously confirmed. The chain, which was sold to investment firm Gordon Brothers for £1, has been undergoing a major transformation.
Having avoided administration after a High Court-approved rescue plan in August, Poundland expects its UK estate to shrink from around 800 shops to between 650 and 700. Darren MacDonald, Poundland’s UK country manager, stated the company is determined to offer "amazing value" to customers in locations they are leaving.
The series of closures underscores the ongoing pressures facing the UK retail sector, from large chains to smaller family-run businesses, as they adapt to changing consumer habits and economic conditions.
