The 10 high street stores Brits want to return most with one clear favourite

Daily Record

18 hours ago

High streets across the UK are struggling thanks to the rise in online shopping - but there are some brands we want to see make a comeback.
With the rise in online shopping over the last couple of decades, there was always going to be a consequence. And as we see store after store closing on high streets across the country, it's not hard to see who has been hit the worst.
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Online shopping is quick and easy, and it means you can pick out a whole host of different items from a variety of different brands without even having to leave your couch.
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But as more and more of us buy clothes, gadgets, decorations, books, and more with just a few clicks, it is taking its toll on in-person stores. This month, a huge number of major retailers are shutting shops across the UK.
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And there are some big names that have left the high street for good in recent years. Some still have an online presence but others are only alive in our memories.
As with anything that we once enjoyed but no longer have access to, people long for their return - and shops are no different. The experts at Liquidation Centre analysed search data to reveal which former brands shoppers most want to see make a comeback.
And one major retailer was the clear favourite among UK consumers. Debenhams had an average monthly search volume of 499,000 in the UK - more than 7.5 times that of its nearest rival.
This may be in part down to the fact that the department store still has a big online sales presence, but it is an indicator of how prominent Debenhams has been in the lives of Brits.
Boohoo bought the brand and its website in 2021, ensuring that Debenhams' near 250-year-old history survived, but didn't pick up the high street stores, which eventually closed down.
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While many Brits long for its return to the high street, it seems unlikely as the chief executive said that it will be "Britain's online department store".
Liquidation Centre director Richard Hunt said: 'The combination of failing to adapt to shifting consumer habits towards online shopping alongside the financial impact of Brexit and the pandemic contributed towards Debenhams financial strain.
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"However, their issues began years prior to these events, with the company carrying unsustainable debts due to poor financial decisions. Their online-only comeback will be exciting for many fans, but it also serves as a stark reminder of their failure to compete effectively on the high street amid a changing market.'
In second spot, though some way behind, was Dorothy Perkins with 65,000 average monthly searches. The fashion firm's former owner, Arcadia Group, fell into administration in 2020, with all their brands sold off the following year.
Hunt said: 'Dorothy Perkins, part of Arcadia Group, is another example of a traditional retailer acquired by online giants like Boohoo.
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"Despite undergoing a CVA (Company Voluntary Agreement) to repay debts and avoid liquidation, the company's failure to compete with fast-growing online retailers, combined with a changing market landscape and high overheads, led to crippling financial issues, which ultimately led to the downfall of the business.
Rounding out the top three, just behind Dorothy Perkins, was Toys R Us. The much-loved kids' store was a huge feature of the childhoods of Millennials and Gen Xers, and it still amasses 61,000 monthly searches.
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The toymakers went into administration in 2018, with all its stores closing as a result. The firm had been facing a £15million tax bill and, due to falling sales, they were unable to make the payment.
Toys R Us also struggled to keep up with the growth and popularity of technology among children's toys, compared to their more traditional products.
Hunt said: "Toys R Us seemed to fail to move with the times. As children's interests began to shift towards more tech-related items, the stores failed to adapt and capitalise on this trend.
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"They were also priced out of a very competitive market, with other brands offering the same quality branded toys at a lower price. Additionally, reports pointed to dull, outdated store interiors that lacked the excitement and appeal once central to the Toys R Us experience. More enticing and exciting options become available, leaving the brand behind."
Some other huge brands were also in the top 10 list, including Mothercare, BHS, Woolworths, and Blockbuster. With many of these brands, they were unable to stay relevant and evolve with the times in a competitive market.
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Offering his expert insights, Richard Hunt said: "The current economic climate poses increasing risks to businesses, especially those in the retail sector. It is much easier to lose consumers than to retain them, which is why regular market research and competitor analysis are so essential. Staying ahead of the curve as conditions evolve is critical to long-term survival.
"As we've seen, poor financial management and decisions have contributed to the downfall of several once-iconic household brands, proving how crucial it is to have effective financial strategies and management in place."
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The 10 high street brands Brits most want to see make a return
Debenhams, 499,000 average monthly searches
Dorothy Perkins, 65,000
Toys R Us, 61,000
Cath Kidston, 35,000
Thorntons, 32,000
Mothercare, 28,000
BHS, 22,000
Woolworths, 19,000
Miss Selfridge, 9,500
Blockbuster, 8,330