A BELOVED family-run store announced their sad closure after almost 60 years.
In another hit to the retail industry, a staple high street venue is set to serve its last customer.
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Marcruss Outdoors in Hotwells, Bristol, was created in 1968, and hailed for its outdoor gear.
Owners blamed the “harsh economic climate” for their shock decision and claimed it would be “impossible” to continue.
They wrote on social media: “Unfortunately, the harsh economic climate has made it impossible for us to continue.
“Despite having weathered countless recessions and even the challenging lockdowns, the final blow has come in the form of the Clean Air Zone.”
The Marcruss statement added: “It has truly been an honour and a privilege to serve each and every one of you.
“We will deeply miss running this shop, as it has been more than just a business to us – it’s been a place where we’ve been able to offer expert advice, exceptional customer service and a sense of community.
“We would also like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who have worked here over the years.
“Their loyalty, commitment and hard work have been the foundation of our success.
“We couldn’t have reached the milestones we did without their dedication, and we consider both our customers and staff to be part of the Marcruss family.
“As we prepare to close our doors, we kindly ask for your support in helping us clear our remaining stock.
“We have some fantastic bargains available, and we would love for our loyal customers to benefit from these final sales.
“The closing of our doors will certainly be a loss, and we believe that the vibrant city of Bristol will feel a little less bright without us.
“Thank you for your support throughout the years. We will cherish the memories and are forever grateful for the opportunity to have served you.”
It comes as devastated shoppers are also waving goodbye to a beloved boutique closing after 22 years.
RETAIL PAIN IN 2025
The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury’s hike to employer NICs will cost the retail sector £2.3billion.
Research by the British Chambers of Commerce shows that more than half of companies plan to raise prices by early April.
A survey of more than 4,800 firms found that 55% expect prices to increase in the next three months, up from 39% in a similar poll conducted in the latter half of 2024.
Three-quarters of companies cited the cost of employing people as their primary financial pressure.
The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year.
It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year.
Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: “The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025.”
Professor Bamfield has also warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector.
“By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer’s household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020.”
Family-run Little N’s Baby Boutique sadly announced they will be shuttering their site in Dartford, Kent, in just days.
The tragic move was triggered after owner Debra Aldridge discovered a hike in parking fees would double her monthly payments, as well as competition from Temu and TikTok shop.
Elsewhere, disappointed customers were saddened to wave goodbye to an iconic toy shop after 12 years of “great memories”.
Giddy Goat Toys has pulled the shutters down on their branch in Didsbury, Manchester.
The store announced their sad closure on social media, ahead of their final day on March 16.
It comes as other retailers, both independent and industry giants, continue to struggle.
Dozens of shops are set to close across the country before the end of the month in the latest blow to UK high streets.
Just a few months in to 2025 and it’s already proving to be another tough year for many major brands.
Rising living costs – which mean shoppers have less cash to burn – and an increase in online shopping has battered retail in recent years.
Just this week former staple of the high street Quiz crashed into administration with the immediate closure of 23 stores.
New Look bosses made the decision to axe nearly 100 branches as they battle challenges linked to Autumn Budget tax changes.
Approximately a quarter of the retailer’s 364 stores are at risk when their leases expire.
This equates to about 91 stores, with a significant impact on New Look’s 8,000-strong workforce.
It’s understood the latest drive to accelerate closures is driven by the upcoming increase in National Insurance contributions for employers.
The move, announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in October, is expected to hit retailers hard – and the British Retail Consortium has predicted these changes will create a £2.3billion bill for the sector.
Meanwhile, the WHSmith brand name looks set to vanish from British high streets after 230 years.
In a fresh update, Boots UK also told The Sun that 253 stores have now shut as part of cost-cutting plans.
And, Homebase launched a big closing down sale as two more stores will shut amid 35 closures this month.
Why are retailers closing stores?
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 after the pandemic are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.
However, additional costs have added further pain to an already struggling sector.
The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury’s hike to employer NICs from April will cost the retail sector £2.3billion.
At the same time, the minimum wage will rise to £12.21 an hour from April, and the minimum wage for people aged 18-20 will rise to £10 an hour, an increase of £1.40.
The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year.
It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year.
Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: “The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025.”
It comes after almost 170,000 retail workers lost their jobs in 2024.
End-of-year figures compiled by the Centre for Retail Research showed the number of job losses spiked amid the collapse of major chains such as Homebase and Ted Baker.
It said its latest analysis showed that a total of 169,395 retail jobs were lost in the 2024 calendar year to date.
This was up 49,990 – an increase of 41.9% – compared with 2023.
It is the highest annual reading since more than 200,000 jobs were lost in 2020 in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced retailers to shut their stores during lockdowns.
The centre said 38 major retailers went into administration in 2024, including household names such as Lloyds Pharmacy, Homebase, The Body Shop, Carpetright and Ted Baker.
Around a third of all retail job losses in 2024, 33% or 55,914 in total, resulted from administrations.
Experts have said small high street shops could face a particularly challenging 2025 because of Budget tax and wage changes.
Professor Bamfield has warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector.
“By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer’s household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020.”
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