Casualties of the online invasion

SOME of the biggest names on the high street have shut dozens of stores adding to job losses as online rivals take their customers. Here are some of the casualties: TOYS R US The toy chain went into administration in February. All 100 UK stores have closed and more than 3,000 jobs have been lost. MAPLIN The business faced weak consumer confidence and a withdrawal of credit insurance. It had around 2,300 employees before closure of all of its 219 stores. HOMEBASE The DIY chain is set to close 80 stores, hitting up to 2,000 jobs. It follows a botched takeover by Australia’s Wesfarmers. POUNDWORLD Called in administrators in June in a move affecting 5,100 jobs amid falling footfall. All stores have now been closed. MOTHERCARE The ailing baby goods and maternity retailer is to close 50-60 stores as part of a planned turnaround. MARKS & SPENCER In a restructure announced in May, Marks & Spencer said it could see 100 stores close with the loss of 600 jobs. CARPETRIGHT The embattled flooring firm is embarking on a store closure programme, also part of a restructuring, after announcing heavy losses. NEW LOOK The clothing chain announced earlier this year that it would close 60 UK stores and cut 1,000 jobs as part of a financial restructuring. deepened last week after C.banner, the Chinese owner of Hamleys, pulled its investment. Then in a bombshell announcement early yesterday House of Fraser said it was appointing administrators. Some stores failed to open on time and the retailer’s website crashed. But shortly CARLUCCIO’S The chain has unveiled a restructuring plan that is likely to lead to 34 restaurant closures. It cited a combination of a decline in consumer spending and increased competition, coupled with rising rent and business rates. CALVETRON The owner of Jacques Vert, Windsmoor, Dash and Eastex fashion brands, which ran about 300 UK concessions in stores including Debenhams and House of Fraser, went into administration at the start of May. afterwards Sports Direct announced it had acquired all 59 House of Fraser stores and all of the retailer’s stock.

Alan Hudson, of accountants EY, said the deal “preserves as many of the jobs of House of Fraser’s employees as possible”.

Poundworld, Maplin and Toys R Us have all gone bust this year.