The 5 retailers missed the most by UK shoppers

It can be devasting for both staff – and customers – when a retailer goes bust.

New research by Raisin UK finds the top 5 retailers whose stores UK shoppers miss the most.

The firm analysed Google search volumes of collapsed retailers and analysed social media sentiment. This is what they found:

1. Toys R Us – closed in 2018

Toy retailer Toys R Us has topped the list of the most-missed brands.

Out of 149.7k posts analysed online, 78% of people reacted with love to the toy brand, unsurprising given that it was part of many childhoods across the UK.

Toys R Us opened their first UK store in 1985, and at its peak had over 105 stores across the country.

The stores were huge retail units offering everything from board games to bikes and even essentials like pushchairs as part of their ‘Babies R Us’ side of the business.

It was the one-stop-shop for birthdays, Christmases, and was a free alternative to children play areas.

And who can forget mascot Geoffrey the giraffe and the retailer’s impossibly catchy jingle?

In 2018, Toys R Us closed all of its 100 stores across the UK after failing to find a new owner after its US parent company filed for bankruptcy.

However, there is good news for shoppers missing the toy retailer.

The Australian and New Zealand Toys R Us business bought the rights to operate the brand in the UK and last year not only relaunched its website in the UK but revaled it would be opening concessions in WHSmith stores.

Nine concessions are set to open in WHSmith’s high street stores in the first half of this year.

2. Woolworths – closed in 2009

The Woolworths collapse was – and still is – one of the most high-profile in retail.

The general merchandise chain, which had 807 stores, fell into administration in late 2008 with all its stores closed by early January 2009.

The retailer was a mainstay of many high streets and sold a plethora of goods from CDs to its famous pick ‘n’ mix.

In February 2009, Shop Direct Group (now The Very Group) purchased the Woolworths trademark and its online site, which operated until its closure in June 2015.

Despite much speculation about the business making a return to the high street, however, up until now this has been unfounded.

3. Mothercare – closed in 2019

Mothercare was once an essential for expectant mothers, however, in November 2019, it closed its remaining 79 UK stores after calling in administrators.

The company, which opened its first store in 1961, had struggled to compete as supermarkets and online specialists sold its core products cheaper.

However, overseas shoppers can still shop with Mothercare, which has more than 700 international stores and in good news for UK shoppers the brand is now available online and in selected Boots stores.

The health and beauty retailer stocks Mothercare-branded clothing, home products, pushchairs and car seats.

4. Blockbuster – closed in 2013

The fourth most-missed retailer is Blockbuster.

And it’s no surprise why. The retailer was the place to go for shoppers planning a Saturday night in.

The US import first opened its video then DVD rental stores in the UK in 1989 and was hugely popular. However, the rise of streaming killed the retailer.

When it collapsed in January 2013 it had 528 UK stores and employed more than 4,000 staff.

It was given a short stay of execution when it was rescued by restructuring specialist Gordon Brothers but plunged into administration a second time in November 2013 and its branches closed for good.

5. BHS – closed in 2016

The collapse of department store chain BHS was a scandal that battered retail tycoon Sir Philip Green’s reputation.

Green, whose family had taken more than £500m out of the business in dividends, sold struggling BHS for £1 in March 2015 to Retail Acquisitions led by the serial bankrupt Dominic Chappell.

It fell into administration a year later, with a pension deficit of £571m, resulting in the loss of 11,000 jobs.

BHS closed all of its stores by late August 2016, becoming the biggest retail collapse after Woolworths. As of 2020, a quarter of BHS stores remained vacant.

An inquiry by MPs into the collapse followed and eventually Green agreed to pay £363m to rescue the BHS pension scheme. Chappell was later jailed for tax evasion.