Popular children’s retailer Smiggle has slashed prices by up to 70% at a UK store as it prepares to close on February 22, following a wave of closures that has seen the brand shrink from 138 stores to 94
A high street retailer with branches throughout the UK has started a closing-down sale at one of its outlets. This comes as bosses shut down multiple sites around the UK in another devastating blow to the high street.
Smiggle is amongst the high street names that are shuttering numerous stores across the UK. It joins the ranks of Poundland and River Island, two chains that have also significantly reduced the number of physical shops they run in Britain.
Smiggle is a beloved children’s high street chain recognised for selling stationery and arts and crafts. It has slashed prices at its Redditch, Worcestershire outlet by 70% on certain products as it prepares to close tomorrow, February 22.
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The brand hails from Australia, having started in Melbourne in 2003. It arrived in the UK with its first British outlet in 2014.
It opened in Redditch in 2017 and has been a cornerstone of the town’s retail landscape ever since. Nevertheless, it will shut its doors for the final time this weekend, reports the Express.
The impending closure follows a string of Smiggle shops closing last year, including outlets in Dundee, Shrewsbury and Cwmbran.
At its height, Smiggle operated more than 130 shops across the UK. However, the challenges facing the retail sector have undoubtedly impacted the brand’s British operations.
According to Smiggle’s website, it currently operates 94 shops across the UK, representing a substantial drop from its peak. Most recently, the brand shuttered its outlet on Coney Street in York.
According to the Centre for Retail Research, over 17,000 UK retail premises are predicted to close in 2025, with escalating pressures from rental increases, business rates and rising staffing expenses.
The challenges in today’s commercial climate, including higher rents, soaring energy costs, elevated National Insurance contributions and increased national minimum wage, have impacted numerous independent retailers and major chains alike.
Residents have responded to news of Smiggle’s closure across social media platforms. One Facebook user commented: “Another shop closing redditch kingfisher will not be worth shopping in as most of the shops are empty it’s like a ghost town nothing worth going up for!”.
Another individual remarked: “Really is sad to see yet another shop closing down in the kingfisher, wish all the staff the best of luck.”
Someone else posted: “I was just in Redditch and didn’t even think to look in there. Can’t believe it’s closing down.”
Smiggle continues trading in numerous towns and cities nationwide. It maintains five outlets in London, five across Greater Manchester, and five in and around Birmingham.
It also runs branches in Bristol, Liverpool, Oxford, Derby, Stratford-upon-Avon, Sheffield, Leicester and Nottingham, according to its website. The Smiggle shops that are scheduled to shut or have already closed in the UK include:.
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