The British supermarket chain Morrisons has announced plans to close 100 stores across the United Kingdom over the coming months, a move that underscores the accelerating contraction of the country’s high street retail sector. The closures, which represent approximately 10 per cent of the company’s estate, are expected to result in significant job losses, though precise figures have not yet been disclosed.
Morrisons, the fourth largest supermarket group in the UK, has been grappling with structural shifts in consumer behaviour, including the sustained rise of discount grocers Aldi and Lidl, as well as the expansion of online delivery platforms. The company’s market share has declined steadily over the past decade, and its recent attempts to reposition itself through price cuts and supply chain efficiencies have proved insufficient to stem the tide of financial losses.
The announcement comes on the same day that the British Retail Consortium reported a 2.5 per cent fall in like-for-like sales for the first quarter of 2025, marking the eighth consecutive quarterly decline. The sector has been further pressured by increases in the national living wage, higher business rates, and the lingering effects of inflationary pressures on household budgets.
In a statement, Morrisons’ chief executive said the decision was "difficult but necessary" to secure the long-term viability of the business. The company will focus its investment on larger out-of-town stores and digital infrastructure, while the affected stores are predominantly smaller, inner-city sites that have struggled to compete with discount rivals.
The closures are expected to be phased over the next six months, with staff being offered redeployment where possible. However, industry analysts predict that many will be made redundant as the company seeks to streamline operations.
The development has prompted renewed calls from political figures for government intervention to protect jobs and support retraining programmes. The shadow business secretary described the closures as a "body blow" to communities already weakened by years of austerity and changing shopping habits.
Morrisons’ share price fell by 4 per cent in early trading following the announcement, though it recovered slightly as investors digested the strategic rationale. The retail bloodbath, as some have termed it, shows no sign of abating, with similar store closure programmes under way at other chains including Wilko and Paperchase.
The implications extend beyond the immediate job losses. The hollowing out of town centre retail has broader consequences for local economies, property values, and social cohesion. With real wages still below pre-pandemic levels and consumer confidence fragile, the outlook for the sector remains gloomy.
Morrisons joins a growing list of retailers that have been forced to shrink their physical footprint in response to a market that has fundamentally changed. The question now is how many more will follow before the government moves to address the underlying structural issues.
