Shoe Zone is at risk of closing some of its South London stores due to challenging trading conditions and rising costs
London: Shoe Zone has been around for over a hundred years, starting back in 1917. They’ve got 297 stores across the UK, with eight of them in South London, employing about 2,250 people.
But here’s the kicker: they’re planning to close 20 stores this year, and some of those could be in South London. They haven’t said which ones yet, though.
The company mentioned that tough trading conditions are to blame, especially after the recent Autumn 2024 budget. They’re facing higher costs due to increases in National Insurance and the National Living Wage.
Right now, they’re figuring out which stores just can’t keep going. It’s a tough spot for them, and they’re not ready to share which locations might be affected.
Anthony Smith, the CEO, said they’re dealing with a drop in consumer confidence and some weird weather that’s hit their sales. He expressed gratitude for the hard work of their teams and reassured that they’re committed to serving customers both in-store and online.
