SHOPPERS have been left gutted as a homeware chain with 80 locations has announced it will close a store.
The Homesense in Salisbury revealed that it will be shutting its doors before the end of the month, and locals aren’t happy with what will replace it.
The homeware company, part of TJX International, which owns TK Maxx, confirmed the closure with signs in the window of its Churchill Way West store.
A Homesense spokesperson said: “Our store will be closing during the week of February 24.
“We appreciate the support of our loyal customers and associates over the years.
“We look forward to welcoming you to TK Maxx Salisbury in Cross Keys Arcade, where you can continue to find high-quality, top-brand homeware, fashion, gifts, and children’s wear at amazing value.”
Shoppers are taking to Facebook to share their disappointment and their outrage at what they could see take its place.
Lidl has reportedly submitted plans to take the vacant lot right down the road from a Waitrose.
Smyths Toys next to Homesense closed on January 5, and the empty store is also expected to be part of the redevelopment to make way for Lidl.
One person commented: “Ludicrous to put Lidl right next to Waitrose.
“There’s a real need for a supermarket on the Wilton side of town.”
Another replied: “Gutted its shutting love this shop.”
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Huge coffee chain with over 1,300 shops to close high street shop” 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=”6366987625112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]A third said: “What a shame. Loved that shop. Always find something different in there.”
Salisbury customers’ closest Homesense stores will be in Southampton (Above Bar Street) and Bournemouth (Castlepoint Shopping Centre).
TKMaxx has 432 stores across the UK according to the latest financial accounts.
[authenticated-scripts src=”%3Cscript%20class%3D%22palin-poll%22%20src%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fpollingwidgets%2Fv3%2Fwidget.js%3Fquestion_id%3D103064%26game%3Dpolling%22%3E%3C%2Fscript%3E” type=”embedded” width=”100″ /]Its sales in the UK topped £4billion for the first time in the year to February 3, 2024, up 3.6& from £3.89billion the previous year.
Pre-tax profits plunged 42% from £172.4million to £120.7million due to a one-off exceptional item of £58.8million credit in 2023 though.
Some retailers have closed a few branches here and there for various reasons, like when a store lease has come to an end.
Other examples of one-off rather than widespread closures is if there are changes in the area, like a shopping centre closing or being redeveloped, and in some cases a shop will close to relocate to another area.
Some chains have faced tougher conditions though, forcing them to shut dozens of stores, or all of them in the worst case.