‘Disaster’ say shoppers as high street fashion retailer with 250 branches to close ‘dead’ store
SHOPPERS say it’s a “disaster” a high street fashion retailer with 250 branches is closing a “dead” store.
Matalan in Salisbury, Wiltshire, is set to close in the middle of June as the fashion chain faces the cost of living crisis.
The retailer will shut the store in Southampton Road, leaving fans having to travel to Eastleigh or Southampton.
But, more Matalan stores are set to open with five in the pipeline.
Fans of the retailer blamed the location of the store and the road layout for low footfall.
One shopper said: “Always dead when I go in with lots of staff there. Should of reduced staff and had more offers.”
Another posted: “Was actually waiting for this news to drop. It’s on the wrong side of the road so double backing on the roundabout, matalan do not keep up with current fashions & in today’s shopping society it is very tired in its model & it’s choice of product.”
While a third wrote: “I’m not gonna lie when we drove past this the other day I almost said how run down it looked!”
While a fourth bluntly said: “Good shop. Wrong place. Another self service disaster.”
A Matalan spokesperson said they are working closely staff affected and will offer them alternative positions where they can.
“We continuously evaluate our store estate on a case-by-case basis to ensure that we have the optimal mix as an omnichannel retailer.
“This involves exploring new openings – and we currently have five in the pipeline – investing in our existing network of stores, and as on this occasion, select closures.
“Our full range of products remain available via the Matalan website and app, and in our network of stores across the South East. We would like to thank all our customers for shopping with us during our time in Salisbury.”
Matalan was opened in 1985 and says its mission is: “to provide outstanding quality and value for modern families.”
Several other Matalan shops have also closed their doors in recent months.
Matalan pulled down the shutters on its clearance store in Church Gate, Leicester, in January.
It also closed its Leytonstone store for the final time in January after trading for over two decades.
While Matalan in The Core Shopping Centre, in Leeds, closed on February 24.
What is happening to the high street?
Several other retailers have been struggling to get by over the past few years.
Energy costs have risen and more shoppers than ever are choosing to order online rather than head into stores.
This has left some retailers grappling with budgets and having no choice but to close stores to cut costs.
Troubled fashion brand Superdry has said it is looking at various “cost-saving options” after reports it is considering a major restructuring which could include store closures and job cuts.
Boots revealed it would be closing 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to evolve its brand.
Major banks have also announced multiple branch closures.
Barclays is to start pulling the shutters down on 14 sites in England, three in Wales and three in Scotland as soon as April.
Even charity shops are struggling Oxfam confirmed it would close eight of its UK stores last year.
But some shops are bucking the trend and opening new locations.
Primark said it will open five new branches, and one is coming in just weeks.
The Frasers Group has announced it will be taking over the former John Lewis site at Queensgate Shopping Centre, Peterborough to open another new concept store.
B&M is opening six new locations at the start of 2024, including in former Wilko stores it has taken over.
WHSmith has said it intends to open 15 new stores across the UK but they won’t be on the high street.
Avon plans to open shops in the UK for the first time in its over 100-year history.
Costco is looking to open 14 new locations in the UK over the next two years, while Greggs will add up to 160 branches this year.
See the full list of shops opening on the high street in our round-up.