Several well-known high street retailers are scheduled to close stores in March, continuing a trend of declining brick-and-mortar retail. The Centre for Retail Research predicts 17,349 shops will close in 2025, up from 13,479 last year, partly due to changes in National Insurance Contributions and the minimum wage rise in April.
Outdoor clothing retailer Trespass will shut its Highcross shopping centre branch in Leicester on March 31, with a closing sale offering up to 60% off. The reason for closure has not been confirmed, and staff fate is uncertain. Locals noted the store has had closing-down signs for years.
New Look will close stores in St Austell, Cornwall on March 4 and in Gateshead on March 9. The chain is reportedly accelerating closures as leases expire, potentially affecting 91 of its 364 UK stores and 8,000 workers. Last week, it announced winding up its Irish business, closing 26 stores.
WHSmith will close its Accrington, Lancashire branch on March 15 due to lease expiry. The retailer plans to sell its high street estate to focus on travel shops. Other WHSmith closures are earmarked in Essex, West Midlands, Norfolk, Newport, and Suffolk.
Charity Scope is considering closing 77 of its 138 shops due to low footfall and rising costs. Chief executive Mark Hodgkinson said shops are collectively losing money. The first 41 closures could occur by end of March, with more phased over the next 18 months.
