A MAJOR DIY chain is to close nearly half a dozen of its stores for good within days.
B&Q will shut eight “mini-shops” located inside Asda supermarkets this month.
GettyB&Q is to close eight “mini shops” located inside Asda supermarkets[/caption]
The retailer will look to launch smaller stores along the high street instead.
Asda said it was considering different options about what to do with the free space.
B&Q‘s 57 staff affected by the shake-up will be offered alternative roles in nearby stores.
The store teamed up with Asda in 2020 to launch these “mini-shops” inside supermarkets.
B&Q said the move was due to changes in shopper behaviour caused by the pandemic, which has seen people tie multiple shops into one single trip.
B&Q’s will start to close eight locations – listed below – from March 11:
Sheffield DrakehouseDagenhamRoehamptonEdmontonThurmastonGreat BridgeLancasterHartlepool
It comes as a number of high street giants have announced widespread store closures.
Retailers are feeling the pinch due to high inflation, which was sitting at 10.5% in December.
High inflation causes a squeeze on people’s incomes – meaning many are forced to shop less.
Elsewhere, Paperchase also announced it was shutting up shop this year.
Despite being bought by Tesco, the company will suffer 106 store closures and potentially 1,000 job losses.
It currently has a closing down sale going, with items selling for up to 50% off.
However the online shop has now closed for good, so you’ll need to use the store finder on its website to visit your local one.
New Look is also facing a list of store closures and is hosting a closing-down sale to go with them.
The retailer has closed five stores this year and plans to shut another two forever.
And B&M is to begin shutting branches over the next few weeks.
It has also launched a huge 75% off sale ahead of the closures.
Some of these closures are to make way for future shopping centre demolitions where they are currently located, but the brand will continue to expand with the long-term target of 950 stores in the UK.
Here, we’ve put together a full list of shops closing branches in March.
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