A UK retailer has disappeared from the high street following the closure of all 137 of its outlets, resulting in substantial job losses.
The Original Factory Shop, which stocks discounted homewares, furniture, electronics and toys, shuttered its Carterton branch at the end of March.
The company’s social media presence promoted urgent deals on clothing with products starting at just £2.
A spokesperson for the store said last month that all goods were available with discounts reaching 85 percent as the retailer prepared to cease trading that weekend, noting this represented shoppers’ last chance to secure bargains before stock was depleted.
This development followed the company’s entry into administration in January, with administrators citing challenging trading conditions as the primary cause of the difficulties.
These were linked to rising cost inflation, fragile consumer confidence and escalating labour costs stemming from government policies.
Problems were then compounded by complications with its external warehouse and distribution partner, which further impacted sales.
According to a fresh report by JOE, The Original Factory Shop has vanished from the high street with all 137 locations now shuttered.
The report noted that in line with The Mirror, the company has closed all its stores along with its headquarters.
With approximately 1,200 employees, the business was acquired by Modella Capital the previous year and was already on the verge of collapse when purchased.
Carterton represented the sole Oxfordshire location, while Claire’s—which is also owned by Modella and is in administration—maintains a store at Oxford Westgate.
