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Original poster

New look closing shops? What's the future of shopping?

68 replies

PassingStranger · 23/02/2025 19:43

New look are closing about 25 stores. Whose to say more won't follow.
What will happen to all these empty buildings?

OP posts:
Original poster
PassingStranger · 23/02/2025 21:34

Fizbosshoes · 23/02/2025 21:02

I must be in a minority, I like trying stuff on and making a decision instantly, does it fit, does it look good, do I want to buy it?
I hate the faff of having to return 90% of what I buy online. I imagine most retailers save money on prime location space and bank on a % of people ordering multiple sizes or choices online and not bothering to return them!

Agree, it's nice to try on etc.
Maybe shops could offer more services, like personal stylists but that of course would cost money!

OP posts:
Radionowhere · 23/02/2025 21:33

That's a shame. Been running at a loss for a while.

Gogogo12345 · 23/02/2025 21:31

528htz · 23/02/2025 20:18

It's ridiculous. There's a shortage of housing in this country. They need to convert these empty/charity shop/money laundering outlets into residential spaces and forget about the highstreet. It's done. Over. Gone. Yes, it's sad and all that, but what's the point of having these scruffy town centres full of litter and druggies when they could be turned into useful living spaces? Have the odd coffee shop, small supermarket or eatery and perhaps a hairdresser and that's all you need.

Historic places which are popular with visitors could retain their shops if they're viable, but put the rest out of their misery.

Hmm our high street doesn't fit that dire description. It's a mix of hospitality rental offices and resideal

CuteEasterBunny · 23/02/2025 21:31

Flamingoknees · 23/02/2025 20:20

Ours, in a tiny retail park, closed about 2 years ago. I thought they all had. The neighbouring Clarks, Outfit, and H&M also closed. River island has survived. M&S have taken over the empty units.

I think you’re talking about the one local to me.
Peacocks also closed, Halfords closed. Matalan is still going for now.

JMSA · 23/02/2025 21:31

Inthebleakmidwinter1 · 23/02/2025 21:24

i would love to shop in person but high street stores no longer carry adequate stocks of sizes. Then they say they will order it in for you. Er no I’ll just order it to my door thanks

This is true.

Also, I just don't have the same inclination or energy for shopping anymore. I used to be able to shop until I dropped, for hours at a time.
I'm 50 now and find it too tiring.

JMSA · 23/02/2025 21:27

@SofaSpuds

Very, very best of luck! Really hope it all goes well for you Smile

CuteEasterBunny · 23/02/2025 21:26

Our local one closed about two years ago and was taken over by an M&S expansion. We also lost H&M which is now The Range.

We have close to zero clothes shops at our retail park and shopping centre. There is only River Island and Select left but Select is also closing down. Shops like Home Bargains and B&M have taken over a lot of stores too but I really miss shopping for clothes in person.

Inthebleakmidwinter1 · 23/02/2025 21:24

i would love to shop in person but high street stores no longer carry adequate stocks of sizes. Then they say they will order it in for you. Er no I’ll just order it to my door thanks

Killam · 23/02/2025 21:16

I just think shops are mainly not very nice. I don't like going in them. I'd rather go to a pub and talk to my friends. Or yoga or something.

If more brands put a concession in nice places I actually want to go to, I'd probably pick something up. Our local has a rail of, like, cool tops and gloves and posters and things and I get myself something there sometimes.

DelilahBucket · 23/02/2025 21:10

SofaSpuds · 23/02/2025 21:04

Best of luck @delilahbucket, that's very brave 👏

Show quote history

Thank you!

JustFeedMeCake · 23/02/2025 21:07

I'm glad. It's an awful store. Cheap, poor quality clothing and no good for the planet. They got greedy and opened too many shops. Good riddance.

SofaSpuds · 23/02/2025 21:04

DelilahBucket · 23/02/2025 21:01

I'm bucking the trend and opening a shop, having been an online retailer for over 13 years. Selling online is getting harder, buying online is becoming a pain in the backside. Those towns that are embracing small independent retailers are thriving. A lot of town property owners aren't cottoning onto this though and price small companies out. The days are gone where a conglomerate will snap up empty premises and pay through the nose for the privilege. The only ones snapping up expensive premises these days are money launderers.

Best of luck @delilahbucket, that's very brave 👏

MadisonAvenue · 23/02/2025 21:02

ViciousCurrentBun · 23/02/2025 20:56

@528htz As really sad as it is I think you’re right. Our New Look closed last year, probably 25% of our local High St is empty shops. I was down town yesterday and was struck at how completely empty it was. It’s the complete loss of interaction. I remember going shopping with my Mother and stopping multiple times as she chatted with people she knew.

I went into our local town centre on the Saturday before Christmas and it was deserted. I actually took a photo to show my husband as it surprised me.
Years ago that would’ve been one of the busiest shopping days of the year

Fizbosshoes · 23/02/2025 21:02

I must be in a minority, I like trying stuff on and making a decision instantly, does it fit, does it look good, do I want to buy it?
I hate the faff of having to return 90% of what I buy online. I imagine most retailers save money on prime location space and bank on a % of people ordering multiple sizes or choices online and not bothering to return them!

SofaSpuds · 23/02/2025 21:02

New Look are pulling out of Ireland altogether, I think it's a sign of the times unfortunately.

DelilahBucket · 23/02/2025 21:01

I'm bucking the trend and opening a shop, having been an online retailer for over 13 years. Selling online is getting harder, buying online is becoming a pain in the backside. Those towns that are embracing small independent retailers are thriving. A lot of town property owners aren't cottoning onto this though and price small companies out. The days are gone where a conglomerate will snap up empty premises and pay through the nose for the privilege. The only ones snapping up expensive premises these days are money launderers.

Manchesterbythesea · 23/02/2025 21:01

In Ireland and my local one closed today. I’ll miss it, I could always find something in New Look.

MulberryPeony · 23/02/2025 21:00

My local town centre new look isn’t a pleasant environment anymore. Tatty and run down. The one in the retail park closed down. I went into one in a naice city recently and one whole floor was sales racks. Compare it directly with the likes of Zara and I can see why it is failing. I’d better get DD some more pairs of her favourite jeans from there just in case.

MadisonAvenue · 23/02/2025 21:00

Our local one closed a few weeks ago. I went in before Christmas for the first time in ages and it seemed too expensive for what looked like cheap clothing.

Good to see that the unit has already been filled with a branch of Savers though.

deeahgwitch · 23/02/2025 20:56

528htz · 23/02/2025 20:18

It's ridiculous. There's a shortage of housing in this country. They need to convert these empty/charity shop/money laundering outlets into residential spaces and forget about the highstreet. It's done. Over. Gone. Yes, it's sad and all that, but what's the point of having these scruffy town centres full of litter and druggies when they could be turned into useful living spaces? Have the odd coffee shop, small supermarket or eatery and perhaps a hairdresser and that's all you need.

Historic places which are popular with visitors could retain their shops if they're viable, but put the rest out of their misery.

I think you're right, @528htz

I never saw anything nice to buy in New Look

ViciousCurrentBun · 23/02/2025 20:56

@528htz As really sad as it is I think you’re right. Our New Look closed last year, probably 25% of our local High St is empty shops. I was down town yesterday and was struck at how completely empty it was. It’s the complete loss of interaction. I remember going shopping with my Mother and stopping multiple times as she chatted with people she knew.

JMSA · 23/02/2025 20:54

ssd · 23/02/2025 20:52

I really miss Oasis, new look is too teeny for me.

I'm certain it's still online Smile

ssd · 23/02/2025 20:52

I really miss Oasis, new look is too teeny for me.

cramptramp · 23/02/2025 20:50

PassingStranger · 23/02/2025 19:55

Alot of people are going to retail parks, where they can park for free?

That's where our New Look is. It's usually empty but I've noticed they've started advertising on SM and I've seen a few things I liked so I went and bought them. I hope it doesn't close.

Original poster
PassingStranger · 23/02/2025 20:48

What other services could shops offer that was new and different?

OP posts: