Page 2 | New look closing shops? What's the future of shopping?

PassingStranger · 2025-02-23T19:43:05+00:00

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

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.

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.

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.

SofaSpuds · 23/02/2025 21:02

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

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!

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

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 👏

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

JMSA · 23/02/2025 21:27

@SofaSpuds

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

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.

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.

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

Radionowhere · 23/02/2025 21:33

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

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:

Charlize43 · 23/02/2025 21:52

Hopefully it will be replaced by something more ethical, like a charity shop... Cats Protection... selling preloved clothes. Much better for the environment.

Fast fashion is destroying the planet.
https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/fast-fashion-chile-desert-space-b2361069.html

Sdpbody · 23/02/2025 22:03

New Look is just too expensive for what it is.

Its demographic is teenagers and young adults... they have priced them out.

JenniferBooth · 23/02/2025 22:03

How nice to be able to afford those principles
FYI I have has clothes from NL last me for years including a jumper that lasted 18 years

The fact that im child free might level it out 😊

Scottishshopaholic · 23/02/2025 22:04

Retail really needs to up its game if town centres are to stay alive.

Customer service needs to be better. If I am going into town it’s probably because I need something at short notice/ not quite sure what i want/ it’s a high ticket item that i want to see in person/ i want to try it on. I am feeling up of huffy and unhelpful staff.

I am feeling up of no changing rooms being available. Staff looking at you like you have kicked their mum in the face when you ask them if they have something in a different size. And my most annoying thing was in curry’s when we asked to speak to some regarding tvs no one being available, we asked and told they were all busy, waited 15 minutes and then left. I spent a similar amount of money on a watch as what we spent on the tv, but the customer service was unparalleled.

Also I’m not really sad about new look, the we’re similar quality to primark but about 20% more expensive.

SandlersToe · 23/02/2025 22:14

Through nostalgic eyes it may seem sad but the high street is long gone. No use keeping physical stores open if custom is down and leases/rent significantly increase. The future of retail is online - convenient and popular.

tunainatin · 23/02/2025 22:15

I was really annoyed last time I went to new look - bought a skirt in the sale, cashier swing a screen in my direction and asked me to type in my email address. When I said I wanted a paper receipt she was really snooty and said I could have one this time but they were going 'paperless' soon. Shop less too by the sounds of it ...

Nanny1983 · 23/02/2025 22:24

My 17 year old came shopping with me today , to the big shopping centre , she found some jeans she loved in JD and we went looking for some similar ones in New Look and as we was going round every pair were skinny jeans and she just kept saying “this is why you’re in trouble New Look you haven’t got any in fashion jeans “ 🤣
I bought some joggers from the sale section but I can’t remember the last time I bought anything that wasn’t in the sale coz it’s all really expensive to start with so wait a couple of weeks and it will be in one sale or another …
however Primark was rammed with both sides of the queues all the way out of the queuing system .

I used to LOVE new look !!