Fashion Retailer Quiz Enters Administration for Second Time in a Year
Fashion retailer Quiz has collapsed into administration once again, leading to the immediate loss of 109 jobs at its head office and warehouse operations. This marks the second time the company has entered administration within a twelve-month period, highlighting the ongoing struggles facing the UK high street.
Immediate Redundancies and Operational Impact
Administrators from Interpath have confirmed that 109 employees at Quiz's Glasgow head office and its distribution centre in Bellshill, Lanarkshire, have been made redundant. The company currently employs a total of 565 workers, with hundreds more jobs now considered at risk as the administration process unfolds.
Despite the administration, Quiz's 40 UK stores and seven concessions in Ireland will continue to operate while options for the business are explored. However, the company's website is set to close permanently. Notably, Quiz concessions located within New Look and Matalan stores across the UK are not part of the administration proceedings and remain unaffected.
Historical Context and Previous Collapse
This administration represents a repeat of events from February 2025, when Quiz previously collapsed before being swiftly acquired in a pre-pack deal by Orion, a subsidiary of the founding Ramzan family. That earlier agreement saw Orion purchase the Quiz brand and 42 shops, but resulted in the closure of 23 stores and impacted approximately 200 jobs.
Alistair McAlinden, head of Interpath in Scotland and joint administrator, commented on the situation: "With Quiz the latest retailer to fall into administration, there's no doubt it's been a tough start to 2026 for the UK high street. It's our intention to continue to trade all stores and the concessions in Ireland as a going concern for as long as we can while we assess options for the business."
Challenging Trading Conditions and Failed Rescue Efforts
Interpath revealed that Quiz had suffered amid particularly tough trading conditions over the past year, with sales performing weaker than expected during the crucial Christmas season. The administrators noted that the company faced significant economic headwinds, including changing consumer habits, cost pressures from business rates, and recent increases to employment costs.
The firm explored various options to secure its future, including seeking additional funding, but these efforts ultimately proved unsuccessful. Geoff Jacobs, fellow joint administrator and managing director at Interpath, added: "Any parties with an interest in acquiring the stock, store operations and infrastructure of Quiz should contact us as a matter of urgency. We are ensuring that those employees impacted by redundancy are provided with all available support at this difficult time."
Customer Implications and Refund Procedures
The administration has immediate consequences for Quiz customers. Gift cards and credit notes will no longer be accepted by the company. Customers with online returns will need to process these in a physical Quiz store for exchange only, as cash or card refunds will not be available.
Shoppers who have already made returns online but have not received their money will, according to administrators, "regrettably, not receive a refund from Quiz." These customers are advised to contact the provider of the credit or debit card used for their original payment to seek assistance with potential chargebacks or other remedies.
The collapse of Quiz represents another significant blow to the British retail sector, which has seen numerous established brands struggle with changing consumer behavior, economic pressures, and intense competition in recent years.
