Have you ever visited a store and fallen in love with the place? Well, that’s exactly how one shopper feels about a major fashion chain that’s about to close its doors in a busy shopping centre. Blue Inc, a menswear specialist with 40 branches, will be shutting down its store in Cumbernauld, Scotland for good.
Credit: Alamy
Blue Inc faced financial difficulties and went into administration back in 2016, resulting in the closure of several stores. However, the chain was later bought out in 2019. Now, it seems that the closure signs have appeared on the shop windows of the store in the Antonine Shopping Centre, according to the Glasgow Times.
The Antonine Shopping Centre is a popular destination for locals, attracting an annual footfall of 3.5 million people. Shoppers have expressed their love for the centre, describing it as “underrated” with some “really good shops.” It’s always sad to see a beloved store leaving a place that holds special memories for its customers.
While no official closure date has been confirmed yet, we will keep you updated as more information becomes available. The Sun has reached out to Blue Inc for comment on this matter.
Sadly, this closure is part of a larger trend. Many major retailers are shutting down their stores and leaving the high street. Some are being replaced or relocated, while others are simply disappearing from towns and cities. Argos, Next, Jack Wills, and Poundland are among the brands that are set to close branches this year.
According to the British Retail Consortium, around 6,000 retail outlets have closed since 2018. Last year alone, we witnessed the collapse of several well-known brands like Wilko and Paperchase, and there are more to come in 2024. If you’re curious about which shops are set for closure in 2024, we have a full list for you.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Amidst the closures, some retailers have managed to weather the storm and even open new branches. B&M, for instance, has opened two new stores in Porthmadog and Washington. Supermarket giant Asda is also on track to open 1,000 more sites throughout the UK and Northern Ireland by March this year.
Wilko, despite closing some branches, has plans to open more stores in January. The Fraser Group, amidst a wave of store closures, has confirmed the opening of another “new concept” store. Last year, they opened a department store in Norwich and additional sites in Blackpool. Now, they are set to open a site in Sheffield, taking over a former Debenhams space.
Change is an inevitable part of the retail industry, but it’s always bittersweet when a beloved store closes its doors. As we bid farewell to Blue Inc in Cumbernauld, let’s cherish the memories we’ve made there and look forward to new opportunities and experiences that lie ahead.
For more news and updates on the retail industry, visit F5 Magazine.