'It does not make any sense!' shoppers like M&S are calling for two stores to close within WEEKS

SHOPPERS are devastated after M&S confirmed it will close two more stores following a wave of closures.

The upscale retailer is pulling down the shutters on its branch in Neath, Wales, in May, in a blow to locals.

Meanwhile, the chain is preparing to close its branch at The Broadway Hallings in Bradford, although no closing date has yet been set.

A spokesperson for M&S confirmed the two closures, adding: “We have announced that we are investing £480 million in bigger, better stores across the UK.

“Our store rotation and investment program is aimed at ensuring we have the right stores, in the right place, with the right space.

“While our store rotation program involves closing some stores, it also means relocating and opening new stores in locations across the country.”

Regardless, news of the closures was met with confusion and devastation by locals, with one calling it “crushing news.”

Another said: “But why? The Food Hall is always busy, the cafe is very busy and popular and the clothing areas, both men and women, always seem to be busy too. That doesn't make any sense!”

Meanwhile, another dejected customer said: 'The only reason I went to Bradford apart from the bank. So that's Leeds.'

A fourth furious resident said: “This town ended years ago, absolutely without any hope. The town is a cesspool.”

It comes after M&S, which has 405 stores across the country, closed a series of branches across the country in a blow to shoppers.

In 2022, the retailer announced plans to close 67 “lower productivity” stores.

Some have already closed their doors permanently between August and November last year, including in Manchester, Swindon and Birmingham.

In addition, 40 M&S clothing stores closed between November 2016 and July 2023.

Branches in Andover, Basildon, Edinburgh, Middlesborough and Stockport all pulled down their shutters for the final time.

In addition, thirteen clothing stores closed between April 2019 and May of the same year, including in Ashford, Buxton and Deal.

But it's not all bad news for the retailer: in January 2023, the retailer announced that it would open twenty more stores over the course of the financial year.

In the past 12 months the company has opened 22 locations, including in Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham and Manchester, a spokesperson said.

Why do retailers close branches?

Recent figures from the Center for Retail Research show that more than 10,000 stores closed their doors for the last time last year.

Meanwhile, the foundation found that almost 120,000 workers lost their jobs in the same twelve-month period.

It comes amid a turbulent time for the high street, with businesses struggling with high energy and wage costs and expensive business rates.

Shoppers are increasingly turning to online retail, forcing retailers to close their branches.

A number of notable brands have gone bankrupt, including Wilko and Paperchase.

Yesterday, The Body Shop confirmed it would close almost half of its portfolio of 198 stores after calling in administrators last week.

But it wasn't all bad news, as a number of retailers expanded their physical presence in the UK.

Asda is massively expanding its portfolio of smaller Express stores, with plans to open 110 by the end of February.

Earlier this month, Primark confirmed plans to open new branches and invest and renovate more than a dozen existing stores.

Meanwhile, Wilko has made a comeback on the high street, opening stores in Plymouth, Luton and Exeter before the end of last year.

And in January, discount chain B&M said it planned to open 17 new branches by 2024, some of which would open soon.

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