A card shop chain has announced plans to close one of its stores in a blow to the high street. Cardzone has more than 60 locations throughout the UK, including one at Merry Hill Shopping Centre.
But it has now been announced that its store in Stroud, Gloucestershire, will close for good in January 2025. A huge closing-down sale is expected with customers already grabbing 20 per cent off.
Earlier this year, it was announced the brand would close its site in Reigate following a major discount sale. And in 2023, the retailer also shut branches in Beeston and Kirkby in Ashfield, both in Nottinghamshire.
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It had not yet been confirmed whether the Merry Hill site was at risk. News of the closure came amid a challenging time for the UK’s retail sector, The Sun reports.
The cost-of-living crisis means many people do not have disposable income to spend in shops. Online shopping has also risen in popularity in recent years and unseasonably wet weather has also deterred shoppers from hitting the high street.
Figures released by the Office of National Statistics showed online spending rose by 5.9 per cent in May which was the largest monthly increase since April 2022. Merry Hill Shopping Centre has been approached for comment.