‘Will anything survive’ question fans as high street fashion chain with 60 shops shuts store after string of closures
HIGH street giant Zara has closed another store - the latest in a string of closures by the chain.
The Spanish giant has confirmed it shut its store in Eden Shopping Centre, High Wycombe, on January 27.
Zara had also recently closed stores in Telford, Watford, and Maidstone.
High Wycombe staff were told on January 10 that Zara's lease was ending on January 31 and not being renewed, local media reported earlier this month.
The nearest Zara stores for High Wycombe locals are now in Slough and Reading.
Fans of the store were distraught at the loss of another store leaving their local mall.
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One fan asked: "Will anything survive in the Eden center?"
Another said: "Eden need to do something to attract more shops, particularly clothes."
A third said: "To be fair it was over priced and low grade, certainly didn't live up to it's name. I just hope the staff find new jobs."
The Zara fashion chain is owned by Spanish billionaire Amancio Ortega, who founded parent company Inditex in 1975.
Inditex owns eight brands including Zara, Massimo Dutti and Pull & Bear.
It comes as many retailers are struggling to keep their heads above water due to the cost of living crisis.
High energy and wage costs have seen businesses struggling too, while shoppers' budgets have been squeezed due to high inflation.
Other high street names such as Boots, Marks and Spencer have also been shutting down branches.
In some cases, they are closing down premises to make way for new locations.
However, in others, some are just cutting back costs in a bid to keep trading.
B&M has closed 10 stores since February last year, including in Bristol, Bolton and Newport, Wales.
Meanwhile, Quality Save, owned by TJ Morris, pulled down the shutters of its Chorley store in October.
Poundstretcher also closed 13 branches in 2023, including in Romford, Grantham and Grimsby.
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It has seen notable brands such as Wilko and Paperchase fall into administration in 2023.
Meanwhile, pharmacy giant Boots said in June last year it would be consolidating its portfolio of stores from 2,200 in 1,900.