Bargain supermarket with over 800 locations to shut stores in weeks following string of closures
A BARGAIN supermarket chain with over 800 locations is shutting stores in weeks.
Iceland is closing its branch in the Market Shopping Centre, in Crewe, and shop in Grange Road, Birkenhead, on September 16.
The retailer is also closing its Llanelli branch in Wales on September 2 after its site in Fratton shut on August 26.
Iceland has already closed 14 supermarkets this year. Here is the full list:
- Mill Lane, Bromsgrove – February
- Chineham Shopping Centre, Basingstoke – February
- White Rose Centre, Rhyl – March
- South Street, Newport, Isle of Wight – March
- St Catherine’s Place, Bedminster, Bristol – March
- Deiniol Centre, Bangor – March
- Newport – April
- Berwick – April
- Hexham – April
- Flint, Wales – May
- Beccles, Suffolk – June
- St David’s Place, Swansea – July
- Fife – August 12
- Fratton – August 26
Iceland isn’t just closing stores though – it is opening branches too.
The bargain retailer pulled up the shutters on a store in Slough and opened two new shops under the Food Warehouse brand in Kendal and Aberdeen in recent weeks.
A spokesperson previously told The Sun its portfolio has grown by almost 200 stores in the last 10 years.
In 2022, it opened 24 new stores.
The spokesperson added: “We typically open more than 20 new stores each year, creating many new jobs and contributing to the growth of local economies.
“At the same time we review the retail experience offered to our customers and have always made a small number of store closures every year as local shopping patterns change and shop leases expire.”
Why are retailers closing stores?
The high street has been hit hard in recent years as consumers turn their attentions to online shopping.
The trend was intensified by the coronavirus pandemic, which saw people forced to stay at home during multiple lockdowns.
That, combined with recent higher energy and employee wage costs, has seen many retailers closing stores.
Wilko, Paperchase and Cath Kidston have all crashed into administration this year, closing hundreds of stores between them.
Wilko could yet be rescued though. A second fresh bid was put forward on Friday which could see all stores and jobs saved.
Meanwhile, notable card chain Clintons could close dozens more stores to avoid going bust.
The retailer has brought in advisers to put a plan in place and save it from insolvency, The Times reports.
Some retailers have been opening stores though, including B&M and Poundland.
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