Three high street retailers closing down stores before Christmas

With the cost-of-living rising and the increase in online shopping, high streets have suffered over the past few years, which has forced many retailers to close their doors.

Almost 10,500 shops closed for the final time last year, according to figures from the Centre for Retail Research. And three retailers, Dobbies, Ann Summers, and The Original Factory Shop, are planning to shut several sites across the UK over the next few weeks.

During the first half of 2024, nearly 7,000 shops belonging to multiple chains closed down for good in the high street, shopping centres or retail parks, according to analysis from PwC. This is equivalent to 38 shops closing daily, up from 36 a day in 2023.

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But despite this, store openings have grown slightly, going from 24 new openings a day to 25. PwC shows "some level of stability"; however, the net decline remains at around 1 every six months.

Rich Jones, the financial services firm's leader of Hospitality, Sport and Leisure in the UK noted that where consumers "prioritise" their pound has changed over the last few years.

He explained: "There’s been a continued shift, with consumers seeking new experiences and spending more time with friends and family. This should be welcome news for the hospitality sector. However, our data shows continued net closures in the first half, particularly for those businesses hardest hit by energy and labour cost inflation.

"Put simply, adapting to these changes has become an existential matter. As the high street continues to evolve, there will be even more opportunities for new operators to make their mark."

Here are all of the store closures taking place in the final