Introduction
The fashion retail landscape in 2025 and 2026 has been marked by an unprecedented wave of closures, administrations, and restructurings. From heritage brands with decades of history to smaller independent labels, the pressures of changing consumer habits, rising costs, and intense competition from ultra-fast fashion have taken a heavy toll.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the fashion brands that have closed, entered administration, or announced significant store closures in 2025 and 2026. It examines the reasons behind these closures, the impact on workers and shoppers, and what the future might hold for the fashion retail industry.
Major Fashion Brand Closures of 2026
Quiz Clothing: Administration for the Third Time
Fashion chain Quiz entered administration for the third time in six years in February 2026, with 109 members of staff in Scotland losing their jobs. Founded in 1993, the chain bills itself as catering to 16 to 35-year-old “fashion forward females”.
The company had been struggling over the past year, culminating in poorer-than-expected sales over the Christmas period. Administrators Interpath cited “strong economic headwinds” including “changing consumer habits, cost pressures from business rates and the recent increases to employment costs”.
Quiz’s 40 stores and seven concessions remain open but are holding clearance sales and not accepting refunds. Its online store is now closed. The 109 redundancies will be made across Quiz’s head office in Glasgow and distribution centre in Bellshill, Lanarkshire. The chain employs around 565 people, with 40 stores in the UK.
Quiz listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2017, raising more than £100m. It went into administration in 2020, and again less than a year ago in February 2025. In February 2025, Quiz collapsed again, before being immediately bought by Orion, a subsidiary of the company controlled by the Quiz founding family.
Claire’s: 150 Stores at Risk
Claire’s, the fashion accessories chain known for its affordable fashion, jewellery and hair accessories, fell into administration in January 2026, following a previous collapse in August 2025. The chain, which operates over 150 UK stores, has left more than 150 stores and 1,000 jobs at risk.
The chain has launched closing-down sales across its branch network, with some shops already shut. Items have been going for up to 80% off at some stores. A French jewellery entrepreneur, Julien Jarjoura, is reportedly in talks to rescue the UK arm of Claire’s Accessories.
In 2025, the UK arm of Claire’s tumbled into administration after its US owner entered bankruptcy. Modella Capital struck a deal to save 156 stores, but 145 shops, employing around 1,000 workers, were not part of the deal and closed as a result.
LK Bennett: Entered Administration
British fashion brand LK Bennett entered administration in January 2026 following mounting financial pressure, marking a significant turning point after 36 years in operation. Founded in London in 1990, the brand built its reputation as an accessible luxury label and has been associated with high-profile customers including Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales.
The company ceased e-commerce operations, with its website displaying a notice confirming that online ordering and phone sales have ended. The brand and intellectual property were acquired by LKB IP Holdings LLC, an affiliate of Gordon Brothers. However, the transaction did not include the company’s remaining store portfolio, including nine standalone locations and 13 concessions, leaving a significant portion of its physical retail footprint at risk and potentially impacting up to 89 employees.
The future of LK Bennett’s store footprint remains uncertain, with both standalone and concession locations across the UK and Ireland now under review.
Radley: Closing All 21 Stores
London-based leather handbag and accessories brand Radley entered administration in May 2026 and is now permanently closing all 21 of its physical stores by the start of September. Founded in 1998 by former Camden Market stall vendor Lowell Harder, Radley was once a major high street brand operating dozens of stores across the United Kingdom while also selling at British department store giants such as John Lewis and Marks and Spencer.
The company was subsequently bought out by UK-based variety store brand Poundland owners Gordon Brothers. After preliminary cost-cutting that included axing 42 of the 300-plus jobs, the accessories chain is now permanently closing all 21 physical stores.
The shutdowns include the two Radley flagship locations in London and Glasgow as well as 19 outlet stores in different parts of the United Kingdom. The website remains up but no longer accepting online orders. FTI Consulting, the company overseeing Radley’s administration process, cited “a sustained period of challenging economic conditions for the retail environment, including declining customer demand and increasing operating costs”.
Russell & Bromley: Administration with £59m Debts
British shoe retailer and high street presence Russell & Bromley entered administration proceedings with total debts of more than £59 million in January 2026. The 78-year-old fashion giant has since closed more than 40 stores.
Original Blues: Liquidators Appointed
British clothing brand Original Blues, known for its nautical themes, Indigo-dyed products, Fair Isle patterns and classic cotton and wool knitwear, appointed liquidators to oversee its winding down process in June 2026. Founded in 1985, the company’s e-commerce website has already closed down.
Kitri: Closing After Nearly 10 Years
Kitri, a fashion retailer known for its bold and contemporary womenswear, announced it would close down after nearly 10 years in business. The brand was also stocked by Marks & Spencer.
Founder Haeni Kim said it was the “only responsible path forward” after “exploring every possible avenue”. Following the closure announcement, Kitri launched an online clearance sale with up to 70 per cent off remaining stock.
Caramella: Closure After Nearly 10 Years
Mollie-May Rossi started the fashion label Caramella on her mum’s kitchen table nearly 10 years ago while studying for a psychology degree and juggling a part-time job as a waitress. She had borrowed £500 from her dad to set up the brand, which went on to achieve nearly £12m in sales and serve more than 250,000 customers.
But the 28-year-old announced she had made the difficult decision to close down her company, which ceased trading in June 2026. Rossi cited a “shift in the economy” and competition from ultra-fast fashion brands Shein and Temu. “Shein and Temu were providing clothing that was similar to what we were selling. So we basically didn’t have a chance really,” she explained.
Cefinn: Samantha Cameron’s Brand to Close
London-based womenswear label Cefinn, founded by Samantha Cameron, wife of former UK Prime Minister David Cameron, is in the process of winding down its operations and will cease trading in spring 2026. Cameron said the “difficult decision” was due to current “turbulence” in the fashion wholesale sector.
Major Fashion Brand Closures of 2025
Forever 21: Second Bankruptcy
Forever 21 filed for bankruptcy for the second time in March 2025, resulting in the closure of 354 stores and ending all operations in the US.
Eddie Bauer: Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Outdoor clothing and recreation gear Eddie Bauer, established in Seattle in 1920, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 2026.
Select Fashion: Ceased Trading
Select Fashion permanently closed all of its UK stores after the company entered into liquidation in March 2025. The final 35 stores were shuttered on March 28, 2025.
New Look: 15 UK Stores and Ireland Exit
High street fashion chain New Look shut 15 of its stores in the UK over 2025. The group also revealed that it would exit the Republic of Ireland, shutting all its 26 shops in the country, hitting 347 workers.
River Island: 33 Shops Closed
Retail chain River Island shut 33 shops as part of a restructuring to help support its future. The fashion group pushed through a formal restructuring plan amid fears that the company could collapse into administration without action.
By 2026, River Island continued to close locations, with the latest closure in Swansea set for September 2026. CEO Ben Lewis previously said the brand had “a large portfolio of stores that is no longer aligned to our customers’ needs”.
Monki: H&M Closes Stores
At the start of 2025, European fashion giant H&M announced plans to close its seven stores under its Monki brand.
Other Brands
2025 saw numerous other fashion companies go out of business, including the Canadian retailer Hudson’s Bay Company, Australian fashion group Mosaic Brands, French brand Y/Project, German designer brand Boris Bidjan Saberi, jewelry brand Daphine, and plus-size sportswear brand Pari Passu.
Global Fashion Brand Closures
Victoria’s Secret: 38 Stores Closed
Victoria’s Secret closed 38 locations between January 31 and August 1, 2026, bringing its total store count to 1,430. However, during the same period, the company opened 48 stores, meaning openings outpaced closures. This has been a pattern for Victoria’s Secret.
CEO Hillary Super said stores outpaced digital sales and remain an important competitive tool because they differentiate the company from competitors. One key advantage is the bra-fitting service, which requires an in-store visit.
GUESS: Exits China Market
GUESS announced it would close all its线上线下 stores in China by the end of March 2026 as part of a strategic adjustment.
ZARA: Multiple Store Closures in China
ZARA closed 10 offline stores in China in the first half of 2026, withdrawing from multiple second and third-tier cities.
H&M: Further Closures Expected
In just one year, H&M’s brands went from 4,166 stores to 4,036, and according to its latest six-month report for 2026, more closures are expected.
Ferragamo: 70 Stores to Shutter
Ferragamo expects to shutter roughly 70 stores between 2025 and 2026.
Why Are Fashion Brands Closing?
Changing Consumer Habits
Consumers are increasingly shopping online, putting pressure on traditional brick-and-mortar retailers. Quiz’s administrators cited “changing consumer habits” as a key factor.
Competition from Ultra-Fast Fashion
Clothing retailers have struggled in recent years to compete against ultra-fast-fashion brands such as Shein. Caramella founder Mollie-May Rossi explained: “Shein and Temu were providing clothing that was similar to what we were selling. So we basically didn’t have a chance really.”
Rising Costs
Retailers have faced increased costs from business rates and employment costs. Radley’s administrators cited “increasing operating costs” as a factor.
Declining Consumer Demand
Radley’s administrators noted “declining customer demand” as a challenge.
Mounting Debt
Many brands entered administration with significant debts. Russell & Bromley had debts of more than £59 million. Claire’s collapsed with debts of almost £20m.
Economic Pressures
Retail expert Albert Varkki noted: “Tariffs and supply-chain volatility accelerate pressure on weak fundamentals, but they’re rarely the root cause. Brands that lack a clear value proposition, operational discipline or loyal customer base will struggle regardless of the broader market.”
Impact on Workers and Shoppers
Job Losses
The wave of closures has resulted in thousands of job losses. Claire’s closures put around 1,000 workers at risk. Quiz’s administration resulted in 109 redundancies. New Look’s exit from Ireland hit 347 workers. Radley’s closures affected over 300 employees.
Impact on Shoppers
Shoppers have expressed devastation at the loss of their favourite brands. Following Kitri’s closure announcement, customers flooded the brand’s Instagram with messages of support. One comment read: “Genuinely panicked and heartbroken, I have loved your brand since the very beginning.”
Impact on Gift Cards and Returns
Customers should be aware that when a brand enters administration, gift cards and credit notes may not be honoured. Quiz’s administrators confirmed that gift cards and credit notes would not be honoured. Products purchased online after the administration date may not be eligible for returns.
Common Questions About Fashion Brand Closures
Why are so many fashion brands closing in 2026?
The fashion retail sector is facing a perfect storm of changing consumer habits, competition from ultra-fast fashion brands like Shein and Temu, rising costs, and economic pressures.
What does it mean when a brand enters administration?
Administration is a UK process similar to Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US. It allows a company to seek protection from creditors while exploring restructuring options.
Can I still shop at a brand that has entered administration?
Many brands continue to trade while in administration, often holding clearance sales. However, online stores may close, and refunds and exchanges may be limited.
What happens to my gift cards if a brand closes?
Gift cards and credit notes are often not honoured when a brand enters administration.
Are all closing brands disappearing completely?
Not always. Some brands are acquired by investment firms that continue to operate them under an “asset-light” model, selling through department stores and retail partners rather than standalone stores.
Which fashion brands closed in 2025?
Major closures in 2025 included Forever 21 (US operations), Select Fashion, Quiz Clothing (first administration), Claire’s, New Look (15 UK stores), River Island (33 shops), and Monki.
Which fashion brands are closing in 2026?
Major closures in 2026 include Quiz Clothing (third administration), Claire’s, LK Bennett, Radley, Original Blues, Kitri, Caramella, GUESS (China), and Russell & Bromley.
Is the fashion retail crisis affecting independent brands too?
Yes. Independent brands like Caramella and Kitri have also been forced to close, often citing competition from ultra-fast fashion and rising costs.
What is an “asset-light” model?
An asset-light model involves a brand being sold exclusively through department stores and retail partners rather than operating its own physical stores. This reduces fixed costs.
Will more fashion brands close in 2026?
Industry experts predict more closures, especially among brands “caught in the middle, neither truly affordable nor convincingly premium”.
Actionable Recommendations for Shoppers
- Check closure dates: If you have a favourite brand, check for closure announcements and shop clearance sales if you wish.
- Use gift cards quickly: If you have gift cards for a brand that appears to be struggling, use them as soon as possible.
- Understand return policies: When a brand enters administration, return policies often change. Refunds may not be available.
- Shop early for clearance: Brands often offer significant discounts during closing-down sales, with discounts of up to 80% reported.
- Consider supporting independent brands: Independent brands are particularly vulnerable to competition from ultra-fast fashion.
Conclusion
The fashion retail landscape in 2025 and 2026 has been marked by significant turbulence. From Quiz Clothing’s third administration in six years to the closure of beloved brands like Radley and Kitri, the pressures on the sector are immense.
Changing consumer habits, intense competition from ultra-fast fashion, rising costs, and economic pressures have created a perfect storm. As retail expert Albert Varkki noted: “Brands that lack a clear value proposition, operational discipline or loyal customer base will struggle regardless of the broader market.”
For shoppers, the wave of closures means saying goodbye to familiar high street names. For workers, it means job losses and uncertainty. For the industry, it signals a fundamental reshaping of how fashion is sold and consumed.
The question remains: which brand will be next?
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