Morrisons has announced the closure of 100 UK stores this year, with seven locations already confirmed. The supermarket chain cited cost increases driven by Government policies, including rises in the National Living Wage and employee National Insurance contributions, as the primary reason for the decision. Hundreds of jobs are at risk as the retailer shuts loss-making convenience stores, a move described as 'tough' but necessary to cut costs.
Morrisons Confirmed Store Closures
The seven Morrisons Daily stores set for closure are: Fairfax Avenue in Hull; Esk Close in Guisborough; Zetland Road in Loftus; Stokesley High Street in Middlesbrough; Queen Street in Redcar; Middle Street in South Driffield; and Woodthorpe in York. The company has stated it will attempt to find alternative roles for affected staff where possible.
Marks and Spencer Café Closures
Marks and Spencer is closing 14 in-store cafés across England and Scotland this summer as part of a restructuring plan aimed at 'providing more product choice and improving the shopping experience'. The affected cafés are located in Crawley (West Sussex); Dunblane (Stirling, Scotland); Congleton (Cheshire); Stone (Staffordshire); Anlaby (East Riding of Yorkshire); Hull (East Riding of Yorkshire); Martlesham Heath (Ipswich); Bidston Moss (Cheshire); Bishop Auckland (Durham); South Aylesford (Kent); Strood Retail Park (Kent); Whitstable (Kent); Canterbury (Kent); and Sittingbourne Retail Park (Kent).
Quiz Stores Closing Down
British fashion retailer Quiz, which entered administration in February, will cease trading by July. All items are currently priced under £10 in its closing-down sale, with 'all remaining stock must be cleared' and 'all purchases are final'. The stores closing include Watford; Clydebank; Irvine; Portsmouth; Castleford; Leicester; Merry Hill; Sheffield; Derby; Newtownabbey; Braehead; Manchester Arndale; Trafford Centre; Stirling; Telford; Lakeside; Norwich; and Newry.
Express.co.uk has contacted Morrisons, M&S and Quiz for comment. The closures reflect ongoing challenges in the UK retail sector, with rising costs and changing consumer habits driving restructuring across the industry.
