BYE BYE
Cult supermarket chain owned by Amazon to close two stores including ‘longtime favourite’
But it's not all bad news for fans of the chain
A CULT supermarket chain owned by Amazon is planning to close two UK branches and a distribution centre.
Whole Foods is planning on closing two market stores in Richmond and Fulham Broadway.
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Its Dartford distribution centre which handles operations will also close.
The retailer said the closures are part of its plans to “pave way for new growth in the UK”.
Shoppers have left the market stores rave reviews online.
One shopper said: “One of my longtime favourite places to shop and eat in London.”
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Another said: “My go-to for healthy options from helpful and knowledgeable staff!”
“This is the best deli in London,” said someone else.
A Whole Food spokesperson told The Sun: “The proposed changes to our U.K. operations will pave the way for our growth here in the U.K.
"They will allow us to invest in enhancing the customer and Team Member experience as we expand our footprint to serve more customers and communities in the U.K.”
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“ We are actively exploring new sites and look forward to opening more stores, including a new location on Chelsea’s King’s Road, which is expected to open next year.”
However, it’s not all bad news, Whole Foods fanatics can expect a new store to open next year.
The new store will be on King’s Road London and will act as a new development at the former King’s Walk Shopping Centre.
The new store is expected to generate 130 jobs.
Whole Foods on High Street Kensington is also undergoing extensive renovations while the Amazon owner retailer looks for new sites to open other stores in the UK.
Amazon Fresh closed two stores last year in Ealing, Wandsworth and East Sheen.
The announcement came just days after the chain opened it was opening new Fresh stores in Moorgate and Liverpool Street, London, but did not confirm exactly when.
What is happening to the high street?
It's not just Amazon and Whole Foods which are closing branches in the UK - a number of retailers are shutting stores.
The pandemic was a tough blow as many stores had to close during lockdown.
Since then energy costs have risen and more shoppers than ever are choosing to order online rather than head into stores.
This has left some remaining retailers grappling with budgets and having no choice but to close stores to cut costs.
For the most part, supermarkets have braved the storm as they provide essential items like food and drink.
Asda is the only supermarket opening new branches, Lidl is looking for investors to build 12 supermarkets after opening two new stores last year.
But other retailers have not been so lucky The Body Shop is currently going through administration and announced plans to close half of its 198 stores with seven already closed.
Boots revealed it would be closing 300 stores over the next year as part of plans to evolve its brand.
WHSmith told The Sun it has no plans to open anymore more high street stores as it wants to focus on the travel side of its business.
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.
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Retailers closing stores in 2024
RETAILERS have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis.
High energy costs and a move to shopping online are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.
Here's a list of all the big-name brands closing stores this year:
- Argos - The brand announced plans to close 100 standalone UK branches last year as it looks to move away from the high street and focus on expanding its presence in supermarkets.
- B&Q - The chain has over 300 shops across the UK, so chances are you have one near you, but some stores have closed in recent months.
- Boots - The health and beauty chain announced that it would be closing 300 stores last July. Closures are ongoing and this will see the retailer's estate reduced from 2,200 to 1,900 shops.
- Clintons - Clintons mulled plans to close 38 shops in a bid to avoid insolvency late last year. We've listed the stores affected.
- Costa Coffee - The caffeine giant has around 2,000 sites nationwide, so chances are you'll have one near you. The chain has shut the doors to dozens of its sites recently. We've revealed which stores are due to close this year.
- Iceland - The supermarket has more than 900 stores but closed nearly two dozen sites in 2023, and more selected shops are due to shut.
- Lidl - The supermarket, which has 950 stores, is changing up shop locations, which has meant that some stores have to close. But the retailer is also looking to open 12 new supermarkets.
- M&S - M&S, which runs 405 stores across the country, has been closing a string of branches across the country in a blow for shoppers. It's not all bad news, though, because the chain also has big plans to open dozens of new shops as well.
- Trespass - The firm announced in July last year that it was closing six branches, but more are on the way.
- WHSmith - The retail giant, which runs over 1,100 stores, has shuttered eight stores since March 2023, but more are coming.
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