Fashion retailer with 250 locations will close a 'bright' store
SHOPPERS have reacted in shock after a fashion retailer abruptly closed another store.
The retailer with 250 branches has confirmed that it will close one of the shutters of its store for good in the summer of 2024.
Matalan will close its store in Ayr, Scotland, next summer, although the exact date has not yet been announced.
It is reported that the landlord plans to live in the space himself and has chosen not to renew the lease.
A spokesperson for the brand said: “We can confirm that our Ayr store will close in the summer as the landlord has chosen not to renew our lease.
“Our first priority is to support our colleagues. We are working closely with everyone involved and will offer them alternative positions in our local store network where possible.
“Our full product range will still be available via our website and in our Kilmarnock and several Glasgow stores.
“We would like to thank all our customers in the local community for shopping with us.”
Shoppers have taken to social media to share their sadness at the decision to close the store, which some described as 'staggering' prices.
One person wrote: “God, everything in Ayr is so grim these days. Such a shame!”
Another chimed in, saying, “We're definitely becoming a ghost town. It's so sad that we used to have a great little town.”
The other customers have rated the store positively and remember their experience.
One person said: “I love a small Matalan shop. Something for everyone, and there's always a cheeky bargain hidden somewhere in the store!
“My favorite store is Ayr, the staff are so friendly and helpful.”
Someone else added: “Amazing clothes and homewares.
Crushing prices. Friendly staff.”
It comes after Matalan closed three branches since September last year.
The fashion retailer previously closed its Leytonstone branch after twenty years in business.
Meanwhile, shoppers in Renfrew, near Glasgow, were left devastated after the disaster in September Blythswood Retail Park store Closed.
The branch launched a 30% off sale on everything before closing for good on September 30.
In addition, Matalan will close a branch in Leeds, Yorkshire on February 24, according to local news reports.
Why are retailers closing their stores?
Retailers have been feeling the pressure since the pandemic, as shoppers cut back on spending due to the rising cost of living.
High energy costs and the move to online shopping after the pandemic are also taking their toll, with many high street stores struggling to continue.
The high street has seen a slew of closures in the past year and more are in the pipeline.
Sales volumes fell 3.2% in December, Office for National Statistics data showed, compared with a 1.4% increase a month earlier.
Peacocks, a major fashion retailer, once had more than 400 stores in the UK but has closed half of them in a major blow to shoppers.
However, it has slowly returned to the high street and has built its portfolio back up to around 350 stores.
In October last year, the chain announced plans to open seven new stores in Wales, England and Scotland.
Recent figures from the Center for Retail Research show that more than 10,000 stores will close for the last time in 2023, and almost 120,000 jobs will be lost across the sector.
That said, the numbers are lower than in recent years, with more than 150,000 retail jobs lost in 2022.
Meanwhile, despite the circumstances, it's not bad news for all retailers, with some opening stores in the UK.
Primark will open five new stores in a few weeks as it promises 'bigger and better' stores.
This means Primark will reach a total of 195 stores in the UK.
A supermarket giant will open 110 convenience stores this month as part of huge expansion plans.
Asda will convert former Co-op and EG Group sites into Express stores as it aims to become the UK's second largest supermarket chain.