Thorntons to permanently close all shops
Chocolate shop chain Thorntons is putting 603 jobs at risk
Last updated 15th Mar 2021
Chocolate shop chain Thorntons has announced the permanent closure of all its 61 stores, putting 603 jobs at risk.
The retailer said it has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, which has kept many of its stores shut for key trading periods around Christmas and Easter.
It won't be the last we see of the brand though as the company said it has seen sales surge online and that it will invest in its grocery supply business as part of the shake-up of its operations.
The company, which was founded in Sheffield in 1911, was bought by Italian food giant Ferrero in 2015 for £112 million.
Adam Goddard, retail director at Thorntons, said: “Changing dynamics of the high street, shifting customer behaviour to online, the ongoing impact of Covid-19 and the numerous lockdown restrictions over the last year – especially during our key trading periods at Easter and Christmas – has meant we have been trading in the most challenging circumstances.
“Unfortunately, like many others, the obstacles we have faced and will continue to face on the high street are too severe and despite our best efforts we have taken the difficult decision to permanently close our retail store estate.
“We will now go into full consultation with our colleagues.”
Who owns which shops?
Burtons and Dorothy Perkins
Online retailer Boohoo have bought both the Dorothy Perkins and Burton brands from Arcadia group. They haven't taken the actual shops though, which will permanently close.
Wallis
Fashion brand Wallis was also part of the £25.2 million deal that Boohoo made for parts of the Arcadia group, including Burton and Dorothy Perkins, which mean the Wallis shops will also leave the High Street.
Topshop & Topman
ASOS have bought this part of the failed Arcadia group, paying £292 million for brands including Topshop and Topman. The shops themselves were not part of the deal though, so it looks like they will close.
Miss Selfridge
Miss Selfridge was another one of the brands that ASOS bought alongside Topshop, Topman and HIIT and will also mean the shops will close.
Debenhams
Boohoo have also bought the Debenhams in a £55 million deal which saw the company's 242-year-old name survive but all 118 stores shut.
Oasis and Warehouse
Boohoo have been expanding for the last few years - in 2020 they bought Oasis and Warehouse's online element for £5.25 million as the shops had already closed.
Karen Millen & Coast
Boohoo also bought the brands Karen Millen and Coast in 2019 when it went into administration and stores closed.