'Everything reduced to £5' as legendary shoe retailer announces store closure over HOURS
A LEGENDARY shoe store loved by parents is closing shop within hours, the retailer has confirmed.
Clarks will close its store in the Saddlers Shopping Center in Walsall on Saturday, February 10.
It comes as shoppers posted their sadness at the closure on social media after highlighting the store's closing sale.
One customer posted on Facebook: “Walsall's Clarks is closing on Saturday.
“I have just been told that all children's shoes and boots cost £5 each.
“I have a lot of sandals, so have your feet measured and size up for the summer.”
Commenting on the closure, one customer said: “Such a shame. I'm 60 and remember having my feet measured there years ago.
“There's nothing left in Walsall now, such a mess.”
Another commented on the sale, saying: “What a sale to miss when I'm working all day.”
A spokesperson for Clarks said: “Clarks confirms that its store in Saddlers Shopping Centre, Walsall, will close on February 10, 2024.
“We thank our store team for their dedication and for serving our customers over the years.
“We would like to thank our loyal customers who have shopped with us in our Walsall store, and we will be happy to continue to serve them with our full range of products online and in our nearby Clarks stores in West Bromwich, Perry Barr and Wolverhampton.”
Clarks closed its store in The Grove Shopping Centre, Witham, on Saturday, January 13.
Reacting to news of the closure on Facebook, one customer said: “Not really surprised, he's priced himself out of the market.
In November, Clarks also shuttered its Newport Retail Park site, amid an ongoing battle still faced by retail chains.
It came shortly after branches in Norwich and Westwood Cross Shopping Centre, Kent, were saved from closure.
Clarks planned to close both stores for good, but reversed the decision and decided they would remain open and continue trading.
The popular shoe chain was founded in 1825 and at its peak was active internationally in more than 1,400 stores and franchises.
But as of July 2023, the brand only had 320 stores.
However, all is not lost for shoppers as the retailer also relocated and opened new stores last year.
The brand opened a new store on East Street in Taunton in April following the closure of the original high street.
Clarks also opened a new store in Newcastle's Eldon Square shopping center on May 14.
Why do retailers close branches?
The cost of living crisis, persistently high inflation and energy costs are taking their toll on retailers.
Shoppers have been cutting back, while the cost of actually running a store has also risen, meaning some outlets are struggling to keep going.
Figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) last summer showed that Britain had lost 6,000 stores in five years.
Several major brands also went bankrupt and closed stores for good in 2023.
Wilko's collapse in August marked the biggest collapse in the UK retail sector since McCol's came into administration in May 2022.
Paperchase fell into administration at the end of January 2023 and all 106 stores closed for good.
Scottish clothing brand M&Co and boot store Joules were among a host of other high-profile brands to file for bankruptcy in 2022.
But shoppers still have reason to be cheerful as other retailers expand this year.
The Sun recently revealed that discount retailer Costco is expanding in Britain and plans to open a further fourteen warehouses over the next two years.
After the administration request, Bonmarche will open at least seven new stores in 2019.
The once major bakery chain Patisserie Valerie, which also went bankrupt and closed most of its stores, has started reopening branches, the Sun reports.