'Omg what a shame' shoppers shout as the discount chain abolishes another branch
Shoppers are disappointed because a department store chain is abolishing another branch at a discount.
Much-loved Harwich store The Original Factory Shop has announced it is closing for good.
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The retailer is popular for its wide range of bargains, from homeware to stationery.
A spokesperson said: “We regularly judgement the shops on our estate and have unfortunately decided to close our shop in Harwich.
“We are in consultation with colleagues in store and are working hard to support all those affected.
“We would like to thank all our customers for their support and look forward to welcoming them to one of our other four stores, all of which are within a 20-mile radius.”
Shoppers shared their sadness about the closure on Facebook.
One user said: “I was in this store last week and thought the lady said the store is closing in April.”
Other shoppers said the move means they will have to travel to buy items at discounted prices.
Another added: “OMG when did that happen. What a pity. I'm in Manningtree and we have nothing here. I always have to travel.”
A third wrote: “Oh it's just a shame shops are disappearing, I love the factory shop too.”
A fourth criticized: “Online is killing the shops but it ultimately comes down to the price of things.”
The retailer has been in business since 1969 and has approximately 190 stores in the United Kingdom.
But this is not the only branch that bites the dust this year.
The Original Factory Shop has already pulled down the shutters on three stores in:
- Chepstow, Wales
- Mildenhall, Suffolk
- Bodmin, Cornwall
The chain also closed two stores in May this year.
Shops closed in Bideford, Devon, on May 19 and in Stourport at the end of May.
However, the chain also opened more than a dozen new department stores between August and October last year.
New stores have opened in the following locations:
- Kirkintilloch – opened 24 August
- Stonehaven – opened August 31
- Blandford Forum – opened 31 August
- Haddington – opened 7 September
- Wetherby – opened on 7 September
- Nairn – opened 14 September
- Ashbourne – opened September 14
- Castle Douglas – opened on 21 September
- Penrith – Opened September 21st
- Inverness – opened September 28
- Attleborough – opened September 28
- Ayr which opened on October 5
- Ringwood – opened on October 5
- Perth – Opened October 12
- Lanark – opened October 19
- Peterhead – opened 26 October
Why are retailers closing their stores?
Retailers have been feeling the pressure since the pandemic, as shoppers cut back on spending due to the cost of living crisis.
High energy costs and the switch to online shopping are also taking their toll, and many shops on the high streets are struggling to continue.
The high street has seen a slew of closures in the past year and more are in the pipeline.
Several major brands have also collapsed, such as Wilko and Paperchase.
Just this week, The Body Shop confirmed it has gone bankrupt, leaving 200 stores at risk of closure.
The Sun has compiled a full list of The Body Shop stores in Britain at risk of being lost forever.
But there is a glimmer of hope now that official figures show stores have bounced back from a record poor performance in December.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said retail sales, including online retailers, rose 3.4% in January, compared to a fall of 3.3% in December.
It was the fastest increase since April 2021, the month when non-essential retailers were allowed to reopen after the third national lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.