Lifestyle

RETAILERS have closed hundreds of stores between them this year – but it's not all bad news as dozens are set to open branches over the coming weeks.

More and more consumers are turning to online retail, particularly following the coronavirus pandemic.

Customers are feeling the pinch from high inflation too, which is squeezing purses and wallets.

Combined with high energy costs, many businesses are struggling to keep stores open, not least Wilko.

The troubled retailer's future hangs in the balance, leaving the fate of hundreds of stores and thousands of jobs up in the air.

But it is not all bad news – a number of retailers have plans to open stores too, including B&M and Primark.

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Some are set to open new branches within just days and weeks as well. Here's the full list.

B&M

Bargain retailer B&M has shut a number of its stores this year, including in Bishop Auckland and Bolton.

But the discounter is expanding too, with a number of new stores opening and a number of other relocating.

It already opened a new store in Irvine, Scotland, on August 12 while a further branch said hello to customers for the first time on August 16.

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Here is the full list of branches it is set to open over the coming days and weeks:

  • Glasgow (August 26) – relaunch
  • Reading (Aug 28) – relocation
  • Switch Island, Liverpool (September 9) – relaunch
  • Stockton (September 14)
  • Eastbourne (September 14)
  • Leven Garden Centre (September 20) – garden centre only
  • Hinkley (September 23)
  • Wigan (September 29)
  • Newbury (October 7)
  • Gateshead (October 28) – relaunch
  • Newbury (October 7)
  • Gateshead (October 28)

Poundland

In January, Poundland said it planned to open 50 new stores across the country by the end of September.

Some of the stores include old premises that have relocated or existing stores that are being expanded.

In total, the chain's expansion plans will create up to 800 new jobs.

The retailer is planning on opening a number of branches within just days and weeks too. Here is the full list:

  • Torquay (September 2) – extension of existing store
  • Ipswich (September 2)
  • Selby (September 2)
  • Pontefract (September 9)
  • Cardiff (September 9)
  • Stafford (September 16)
  • Ryde (September 23)

Primark

In February, Primark confirmed plans to expand one of its stores and move two of its existing shops to new locations.

The following month it revealed it would be opening up more Greggs cafes across the UK.

But the retailer also has plans to open one more store within just weeks.

It will be opening a new 29,700-square foot store in the old British Home Stores (BHS) building at the Old George Mall in Salisbury, on September 13.

Original Factory Shop

The Original Factory Shop has already confirmed to The Sun it is opening a number of new stores over the coming days and weeks.

The new branches will be opening across England and Scotland.

This is the full list:

  • Kirkintilloch – opens August 24
  • Stonehaven – opens August 31
  • Blandford Forum – opens August 31
  • Haddington – opens September 7
  • Wetherby – opens September 7
  • Nairn – opens September 14
  • Ashbourne – opens September 14
  • Castle Douglas – opens September 21
  • Penrith – opens September 21
  • Inverness – opens September 28
  • Attleborough – opens September 28
  • Ayr – on October 5
  • Ringwood – opens October 5
  • Perth – opens October 12
  • Lanark – opens October 19
  • Peterhead – opens October 26

Costco

Last week, The Sun exclusively revealed Costco has plans to open 14 new warehouses across the UK in the next two years.

The discounter is eyeing up the locations with hopes to open new stores there "as soon as possible".

It is yet to confirm the exact dates the stores will open, however it has revealed the locations:

  • Chelmsford
  • Colchester
  • Exeter
  • Oxford
  • Cambridge
  • Maidstone
  • Brighton
  • Portsmouth
  • Bournemouth / Poole
  • Preston
  • South Glasgow
  • South East London
  • Wolverhampton / North West Birmingham
  • South West Birmingham

The 14 new stores will see Costco's stock rise to 44 across the UK.

B&M, Poundland, Primark, Costco and The Original Factory Shop are not the only retailers opening stores this year.

This month, Greggs announced it is opening eight new branches across August and September as part of a plan to open 150 in 2023.

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TK Maxx is also reportedly looking for new locations as part of expansion plans.

Poundstretcher also recently revealed plans to bring 50 new shops to the high street before the end of the year.

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