Luxury handbag chain Radley is set to close its final two Scottish stores by the end of August, following its collapse into administration earlier this year. The stores are located in Glasgow's Buchanan Galleries and Livingston's Designer Outlet.
Other sites due to cease trading in the coming days include Covent Garden in London. The brand's 19 remaining concessions are understood to be trading until September, according to the Retail Gazette.
Sale and job losses
The closures come after Radley was sold in a pre-pack deal in May, with ownership transferring from Freshstream to Poundland owners Gordon Brothers. However, all 21 stores were not included in the transaction; only the Radley brand name and intellectual properties were included. As a result, all 42 jobs have been lost following the sale.
Radley is a luxury handbag and accessories firm founded by Australian-born businesswoman Lowell Harder. It began in Camden Market and grew to operate 21 stores across the country.
Financial challenges
Administrators at FTI Consulting cited "challenging economic conditions" as the reason for the brand's collapse, pointing to declined footfall and increased costs. Ahead of its administration, Radley suffered a pre-tax loss of £2.2 million in the 2024/2025 financial year, with sales falling to £65.8 million from £72 million. The US side of the business also suffered, with leases surrendered on three stores in Orlando, Desert Hills and Las Vegas.
Freshstream put the firm up for sale after a decade of ownership. While Next was said to be one of the interested parties, it was eventually sold to Gordon Brothers. In June, the Daily Record reported that the Livingston branch had launched a huge clearance sale ahead of its closure.
Website closure and future plans
The Radley website has officially closed, with reports suggesting it ceased trading at midnight on August 19. Shoppers can expect up to 70 percent off all stock at remaining stores.
Once all stores are closed, Gordon Brothers intends to move Radley towards an asset-light operating model focused on wholesale, licensing and international expansion. The investment firm advised in May that it planned to grow Radley across the UK, US, Australia and Asia, while expanding into new product categories and strengthening relationships with retail partners.
Gordon Brothers head of brands Tobias Nanda said at the time: "Our goal is to invest in Radley and support the brand’s next phase of development, expanding the brand’s footprint in the U.S., U.K., Australia and Asia so future generations can experience the best of British craftsmanship."
Radley is one of several names to disappear from the Scottish high street. In June, Quiz Clothing closed all stores nationwide following its second administration in less than a year. Meanwhile, Brewers Fayre and Beefeater restaurants are set to close as part of a restructuring by owner Whitbread PLC, with sites either converted into additional Premier Inn rooms or sold off entirely.
