New Look announces first branch closure ahead of shutting 'a quarter of shops'

New Look announces first branch closure ahead of shutting 'a quarter of shops'
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


New Look has confirmed its FIRST branch closure ahead of plans to "accelerate" the shuttering of a QUARTER of its shops. The fashion retailer will pull down the curtains on the Wickford site in a matter of weeks, it has confirmed.

The Essex store will welcome in customers for the final time on January 24 in a blow for the high street. A spokesperson for the chain said the branch was closing "at the landlord's request". They added: "We would like to thank all of our colleagues and the local community for their support over the years.

"We hope customers continue to shop with us at our nearby Basildon store, whilst our full product ranges can also be found at newlook.com." New Look has not officially confirmed this plan, although it did say that it did, on occasion, have to close stores due to external reasons.

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They have also not confirmed the number of stores potentially at risk. A New Look spokesperson told The Times: “Our store estate is an important part of our business, alongside our best-in-class website and app. It is this omni-channel approach which allows us to best serve our 10 million customers, however they like to shop.

“We have recently invested over £3 million in our stores in Greater Manchester to trial new omni-channel initiatives to improve customer experience. Using the learnings from these trials, we are now upgrading a further 17 stores across the country.

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“We also continue to invest in our thriving online platform which has resulted in a strong online sales performance, with volumes significantly outpacing last year and an improved online margin. On occasion we do have to close stores, either due to the landlord’s request or because the site becomes unviable.

"However, we always remain on the lookout for appropriate new opportunities across the country and continue to invest in our existing store estate.