High street behemoths such as WHSmith and The Entertainer are bracing for more store closures in the coming year. The Centre for Retail Research has estimated that a staggering 8,543 retail outlets across the UK shuttered their doors throughout 2024.
This is largely due to consumers having less disposable income amidst the cost of living crisis, coupled with soaring rents and costs for retailers. Several businesses have already voiced concerns over the rising costs for the upcoming year, following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ confirmation of an increase in National Insurance costs paid by employers, according to the Mirror.
Here’s a rundown of all the shops that are expected to close in 2025 so far.
WHSmith
WHSmith is set to shut its Winton branch in Bournemouth, Dorset, on February 15. However, it’s not all doom and gloom. Earlier this year, the retailer announced plans to open approximately 110 new stores in airports, railway stations and hospitals, shifting its focus towards its travel division. In addition, WHSmith will be opening 37 new Toys R Us concessions within its own stores.
Currently, WHSmith operates over 1,100 stores across the UK.
The Entertainer
The Entertainer is scheduled to close its store at the Cameron Toll shopping centre in Edinburgh on January 4. Despite this, the toy retailer has ambitious plans for global expansion and has launched more than 850 brand-new toy shops within Tesco stores. The Entertainer currently has over 160 stores in the UK.
Homebase
Homebase is poised to close its stores in Derry/Londonderry, Inverurie, Omagh, and Fife as the new year approaches. The DIY retailer’s plunge into administration saw most of its branches sold off to retail giant CDS, the company behind The Range, saving 1,600 jobs and encompassing 70 stores in the deal.
Co-op
Central Co-op has announced the closure of 19 stores across middle England. As part of the larger Co-operative Group, Central Co-op will witness the transformation of three stores into BandM outlets, while the remaining 16 are set to be taken over by independent convenience store operator Samy, who manages a portfolio of 32 Budgens, Spar, Londis, and Premier stores throughout the UK. The handover of all 19 shops should be finalised by the end of May 2025.
Monki
Monki, a member of the H&M group, is shutting down all seven of its UK stores next year, starting with its Intu Eldon Square shop in Newcastle upon Tyne on January 2, followed by Manchester Arndale on January 17. H&M has revealed that a “limited number” of Monki locations will merge with Weekday, another brand in its fashion stable.
Millets
Outdoor specialist Millets is also saying goodbye to six of its outlets early in 2025. Four of these – in Lowestoft, Douglas, York, and Grimsby – are due for a makeover, rebranding as Go Outdoors, which belongs to the same retail family as Millets.
At present, Millets runs around 100 stores across the UK.