A FASHION retailer is shutting up shop, leaving loyal customers gutted.
Lipstick Clothing has announced the closure of its Nutgrove shoe store in Dublin, with a massive closing-down sale now underway.
Shoppers have just weeks to bag bargains before the doors shut for good.
A statement on the store’s Facebook page read: “It’s with a heavy heart we announce the closure of our Nutgrove shoe store. We’ll be closing our favourite shop in a couple of weeks.
“So get down to Nutgrove and grab yourself a bargain.
“Lots of styles half price or less, and many clearance lines added.”
The store, known for its trendy apparel and accessories, has been a staple of the local high street for years.
One customer replied to the post: “So sad to see you go! I worked in Nutgrove from 1987 until 2005… great shop.”
Another wrote: “That’s just awful news.”
While a third simply added: “Loved the Nutgrove shop.”
A fourth chimed in: “So sad, but best wishes for whatever the future holds.”
It joins a growing list of retailers disappearing from UK and Irish shopping streets.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Major high street retailer with 17 Scots stores to close ‘a THIRD’ of UK shops” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6367391803112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]This week, Harvey Nichols confirmed it would be shutting its Beauty Bazaar store in Liverpool.
At the start of the month, A. G. Meek confirmed it will permanently close its store on Eastgate Street, Gloucester, for good in early April.
Similarly, fashion chain Quiz is reportedly on the brink of administration, putting 60 stores and 1,500 jobs at risk.
The rise of online shopping and soaring costs have been blamed for the string of closures.
Independent retailers struggling
Small businesses have struggled in recent years in the face of changing shopper behaviour and reduced footfall to stores.
The British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) said 2024 was one of the most challenging years for shop owners.
Andrew Goodacre, chief executive officer, said: “Consumer spending on non-food items has declined significantly, while persistent footfall problems and fragile consumer confidence have impacted high streets nationwide.”
Mr Goodacre added smaller businesses were struggling in an “increasingly competitive” market, with larger chains able to massively discount stock, and for longer periods.
The Centre for Retail Research said 13,479 shops closed for good in 2024, made up of 11,341 independents.
The centre expects 14,660 independent retailers to shutter this year due to the hikes to employer NICs and national minimum wage from April.
The independent retail sector has also been hit with an increase in in-store crime.
BIRA’s latest survey revealed 78% of businesses had been targeted by thefts in the past 12 months and that the frequency and severity of theft incidents had risen.