Morrisons has confirmed the first seven stores that will close as part of its plan to shut 100 Morrisons Daily convenience shops throughout 2024. These closures affect locations primarily in Birmingham and other regions across the UK.
This initiative follows Morrisons’ acquisition of numerous McColl’s stores in 2022, many of which were rebranded as Morrisons Daily corner shops. An estimated 132 such stores were converted in 2024 to preserve these local retail spots. However, a review of the company-owned convenience stores revealed several outlets continue to underperform, despite efforts to improve profitability.
A company spokesperson said, “We are committed to minimizing disruption for customers by directing them to nearby stores and enhancing our online services. We regularly review store performance and have identified a number of loss-making locations acquired from McColl’s that are no longer viable.”
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Industry expert Molly Monks F.I.P.A. from Parker Walsh commented, “The retail sector was already undergoing significant change, but the cost of living crisis has accelerated the closures of stores that might otherwise have lasted longer. Reduced discretionary spending and lower high street footfall outside major cities have compounded the challenges.”
The news comes as Lidl surpasses Morrisons to become the fifth largest grocery retailer in Great Britain. Lidl’s growth, driven by price-conscious shoppers, saw its sales increase by 8.8% year-on-year, capturing a record 8.6% market share over the 12 weeks ending May 17, according to market analytics firm Worldpanel by Numerator.