GO Outdoors, a major UK outdoor retailer, has launched a 'closing down' sale at its Colchester branch, located at Colchester Retail Park on Sheepen Road. Signs above the windows read: 'CLOSING DOWN. While stocks last.' The store is the only GO Outdoors outlet in the Essex town.
Background on GO Outdoors
GO Outdoors first launched as a lone shop in Sheffield in 1969 and now claims to be the 'UK’s biggest outdoor retailer', with over 120 stores across the nation, stocking more than 600 brands. The retailer caters for 'anglers to campers, climbers, cyclists, equestrians, hikers, runners and more', according to its website. Customers can opt for 'good', 'better' and 'best' versions of items and has a membership card service for additional discounts.
Ownership and Recent Closures
GO Outdoors was bought out by sports-fashion retailer JD Sports in 2017 and is now part of JD Sports' outdoor portfolio alongside Blacks and Millets. The Colchester closure is part of a trend of outdoor retailers shutting branches. In May, the Daily Express reported that Trespass, which has 230 stores across Britain, was closing its shop in Inverness at Eastgate Shopping Centre. In January, popular British outdoor brand Alpkit entered administration after reporting a £1.46m loss in 2024, describing the move as 'extremely sad'.
