Introduction
In recent years, the Morrisons stores closing in the UK retail landscape have experienced significant shifts. Among the notable changes is the announcement and execution of store closures by Morrisons, one of the nation’s most recognized supermarket chains. The news of Morrisons stores closing has prompted reactions from shoppers, employees, and economic analysts alike. Once hailed as a pillar of British grocery retail, Morrisons now finds itself grappling with market challenges, changing consumer behavior, and financial pressures. This article delves deep into the reasons behind these closures, the scale of the impact, and what this means for the future of UK retail.
Background: Who Are Morrisons?
Morrisons, officially known as Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc, was founded in 1899 as a market stall in Bradford. Over the course of more than a century, it expanded to become the fourth-largest supermarket chain in the UK, behind Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Asda. Known for its focus on fresh produce and in-house food production, Morrisons built a loyal customer base with over 500 stores across the country at its peak.
Despite its strong brand and market presence, Morrisons has faced increasing competition, especially from discount chains like Aldi and Lidl, and evolving consumer preferences favoring convenience, digital retailing, and sustainability. These changes have necessitated strategic shifts, including the painful decision to close several underperforming stores.
The Scope of Morrisons Store Closures
The recent spate of Morrisons stores closing is not an isolated or random move. It’s part of a broader restructuring strategy initiated after the supermarket was acquired by U.S. private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) in 2021. As part of their efforts to improve profitability, CD&R has conducted a thorough review of Morrisons’ store portfolio.
The following table outlines the key details related to recent closures:
Table: Overview of Recent Morrisons Store Closures
| Location | Closure Date | Reason Cited | Number of Staff Affected | Store Size (sq ft) |
| Holyhead, Wales | March 2025 | Low footfall, declining profits | 90 | 38,000 |
| Bradford (Idle branch) | July 2024 | Duplication with the nearby store | 75 | 42,000 |
| Swindon (Regent Circus) | May 2024 | Lease issues and low sales | 65 | 36,500 |
| Crawley, West Sussex | August 2025 | Increasing competition, poor returns | 85 | 40,000 |
| Wrexham, North Wales | June 2024 | Long-term underperformance | 70 | 39,500 |
| Edinburgh (Gyle) | October 2024 | Local redevelopment plans | 80 | 41,000 |
Note: Additional locations are under review, and more closures are expected in 2026.
Why Are Morrisons Stores Closing?
1. Financial Pressures Post-Acquisition
After the £7 billion takeover by CD&R, Morrisons has been under intense scrutiny to improve its margins and reduce debt. The supermarket has reported narrowing profits in consecutive fiscal years. Although CD&R had pledged to grow the brand, cost-cutting measures—including store closures—were anticipated.
Many of the stores being shuttered are either operating at a loss or underperforming compared to their regional counterparts. Analysts argue that private equity ownership has accelerated the pace of asset reviews, with a more aggressive focus on short-term profitability over long-term presence.
2. Changing Shopping Habits
Consumer behavior has significantly changed over the last decade. The rise of e-commerce, click-and-collect services, and home delivery has led to reduced foot traffic in traditional brick-and-mortar locations. Morrisons was relatively slow to adapt to this digital transformation, giving competitors like Tesco and Sainsbury’s a head start in the online grocery market.
Younger consumers are also leaning toward smaller, more frequent shopping trips at local stores or express convenience outlets rather than large weekly hauls at big-box supermarkets. This trend has made larger Morrisons locations less viable in some towns and cities.
3. Fierce Competition
Morrisons faces intense competition from both the top and bottom ends of the market. Premium retailers like Waitrose attract high-income households, while discount stores like Aldi and Lidl have gained massive market share by offering competitive prices.
This “squeezed middle” scenario has put pressure on Morrisons to either compete on price or value-added services. In areas where Aldi or Lidl have opened nearby, many Morrisons stores closing have reported drastic declines in sales, leading to reassessments of viability.
Community Impact of Store Closures
Job Losses and Economic Fallout
One of the most immediate and devastating consequences of Morrisons stores closing is job loss. Hundreds of staff, many of whom have worked for the company for years, are now facing uncertainty. While Morrisons has stated that it will attempt to redeploy affected workers to nearby stores, this is not always feasible—especially in rural or sparsely populated areas.
The ripple effect on local economies can also be significant. Supermarkets are often anchor tenants in retail parks or town centers, drawing foot traffic to other nearby businesses. Their closure may lead to reduced activity in these areas, hurting cafes, small shops, and service providers.
Accessibility Challenges
For many communities, especially the elderly and those without access to vehicles, local Morrisons branches serve as a vital lifeline. Store closures can create “food deserts” where access to affordable fresh food becomes difficult. This raises public health concerns and adds to the burden on local councils and charities.
Are More Morrisons Stores Expected to Close?
Industry experts suggest that Morrisons is far from finished with its restructuring efforts. In 2024, internal reports revealed that up to 50 more stores are under performance review. While not all will necessarily shut down, the company is clearly moving toward a leaner, more targeted retail strategy.
Stores in high-rent urban areas or those with overlapping market presence are particularly vulnerable. Morrisons is also evaluating the performance of its convenience store chain “Morrisons Daily,” which it operates in partnership with McColl’s (acquired in 2022). These smaller-format stores may be safe for now due to the trend toward convenience retail, but they’re not immune from scrutiny.
Strategic Shifts: What’s Next for Morrisons?
While closures dominate headlines, Morrisons is also investing in areas it sees as future growth engines. Here are a few strategic moves being made:
1. Expansion of Online Grocery Services
Morrisons has partnered with Amazon and launched its own online grocery platform to expand digital access. They’ve also invested in automated warehousing and fulfillment centers to increase capacity and efficiency.
2. Focus on Convenience Stores
The McColl’s acquisition brought over 1,100 convenience locations under Morrisons’ umbrella. These stores are being rebranded and restocked with Morrisons products, targeting areas where supermarkets are less viable.
3. Price Cuts and Loyalty Schemes
In response to consumer demand and inflation pressures, Morrisons stores has implemented a wave of price reductions across staples like milk, bread, and meat. The “My Morrisons” loyalty app has also been revamped to offer more personalized discounts and cashback incentives.
4. Sustainability and Local Sourcing
Morrisons continues to promote its commitment to British farming and sustainability, hoping to differentiate itself in a crowded market. They remain one of the few UK retailers to own and operate their own meat, fish, and bakery facilities.
Public Reaction to Morrisons Store Closures
The announcement of Morrisons stores closing has sparked strong reactions on social media, with many loyal customers expressing frustration and sadness. Community campaigns to save specific branches have popped up, particularly in towns where Morrisons is the primary large-format supermarket.
Unions have also voiced concerns, criticizing what they perceive as a lack of consultation and support for affected workers. The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) has demanded more transparency from Morrisons store closures and a more substantial commitment to redeployment and retraining.
Comparing Morrisons’ Situation to Other UK Retailers
Morrisons is not alone in facing the challenges of the modern retail environment. Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and even Asda have closed stores or reduced their retail footprint in recent years. However, the scale and frequency of Morrisons stores closing have raised eyebrows due to the chain’s historically stable presence.
One key difference is the ownership structure. While other chains are publicly traded, Morrisons is now privately owned by a private equity firm, which may prioritize different financial objectives, such as cost reduction and quick returns on investment.
Policy and Government Response
So far, the UK government has made no formal intervention in Morrisons store closure plans. However, some local councils and MPs have raised the issue in Parliament, particularly in areas affected by multiple closures. They have called for stronger protections for retail workers and support for communities losing essential services.
There is also renewed discussion around reforming business rates, which many retailers argue disproportionately affect brick-and-mortar stores compared to online competitors. If no changes are made, more store closures across the sector—not just Morrisons—could be on the horizon.
Final Thoughts: What Does the Future Hold?
The wave of Morrisons stores closing marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of UK retail. While painful in the short term, these closures reflect broader trends that all major retailers must navigate. For Morrisons, the challenge is to modernize its operations without alienating the loyal customers and communities that built its reputation.
Success will depend on the company’s ability to balance digital innovation with community presence, efficiency with empathy, and financial sustainability with social responsibility. Whether Morrisons emerges stronger or continues to contract will depend on how well it manages this transition and whether customers continue to see value in the brand.
In the meantime, affected communities are left adjusting to a new reality—one in which their local Morrisons may no longer be part of the weekly shopping ritual.