Retailers rise and fall on Britain’s high streets. A former cinema may now house a McDonald’s, while beloved brands have disappeared from shops. Some were giants of their era, with branches nationwide where generations created memories during weekend shopping trips. Here are a few you might have forgotten.
Before streaming, choosing a Friday night movie meant browsing Blockbuster’s shelves. Netflix started as a mail-order rival to the DVD rental chain 22 years after Blockbuster’s inception. Netflix became a streaming powerhouse, while Blockbuster closed its last UK store in 2013, having had around 800 stores a decade earlier.
C&A still operates over 1,000 stores globally, with online sales available. The Dutch chain exited the UK in 2001 after 89 years, selling some of its 109 stores to Primark due to rising competition from high street brands like Topshop, which also eventually failed.
Huge UK restaurant chain COLLAPSES into administration as 87 sites up for sale – The Sun https://t.co/RrDYOwGMqH
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Established on London’s Oxford Street in 1981, this brand expanded to over 300 stores in 31 countries by 2009. It provided ties, cufflinks, and Father’s Day gifts. However, by 2013, all stores had closed.
This Wigan-based store, once as iconic as its owner David Whelan who later bought Wigan Athletic, grew from a single shop to one of the UK’s largest sportswear retailers. Its shares plummeted from £500 million in 2010 to £1.2 million by its bankruptcy in 2012, closing 180 stores.
For 58 years, Mothercare was the go-to shop for parents buying clothes or prams. Big supermarkets, fast fashion brands, and online shopping eroded its business, and it no longer dominated the market enough to keep 150 stores open. They closed in 2019, though Mothercare products are still sold by Boots.
Approximately 27,000 jobs were lost when Woolworths shut more than 800 stores in 2009. Trading for nearly 100 years, it was a convenient one-stop shop for anything from sweets to electronics. However, it couldn’t survive the financial crash due to low cash reserves and high debts.
This fashion and furniture brand succumbed to the Covid-19 pandemic, along with many other businesses. It was the first major retailer to go bust in 2020, ending 67 years of selling clothing, cushions, and curtains. It continues to sell through hundreds of Next stores and online.
The final 111 Wilko stores closed in October last year, evoking memories of shopping for stationery, bedding, and garden tools. It was a go-to for young families and students furnishing their new homes. For the 10,000 employees, it was a lifeline.
Dixons, once the leading retailer of electronic goods like sat navs and fridges, was a familiar sight for nearly 70 years. Despite 190 stores, it couldn’t keep pace with technological changes and market demands. It sold its stores to Currys in 2006, shifting to an online presence. Chief executive John Clare noted the decision was difficult, as the high street environment had become increasingly challenging with rising rent and rates.
What Other Media Are Saying
- None. The provided source does not contain an article titled “British Shops You Probably Forgot Existed.” However, a similar article titled “Nineties Shops You Probably Forgot Existed” exists, which discusses beloved British shops that have largely been forgotten. The unique angle emphasizes the nostalgic value and forgotten history of these shops. (Read more)
- Cosmopolitan reminisces about beloved ’90s stores like Blockbuster, The Limited, and Wet Seal, highlighting their nostalgic value and demise in the face of internet shopping. (Read more)
- Good Housekeeping highlights iconic stores like F.W. Woolworth Company, Mervyn’s, and Gimbel Brothers that closed due to changing consumer tastes and poor adaptation to online shopping. (Read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened to Blockbuster in the UK?
Blockbuster closed its last UK stores in 2013 after peaking at roughly 800 stores.
When did C&A leave the UK market?
C&A left the UK market in 2001 after 89 years.
Why did Mothercare close its stores?
Mothercare closed its stores in 2019 due to competition from supermarkets, fast fashion brands, and online shopping.
Why did Woolworths close in the UK?
Woolworths closed in 2009 due to financial struggles from low cash reserves and large debts.
What led to the closure of Wilko stores?
Wilko stores closed in October last year, affecting 10,000 workers.
