UK retail store closures climb but in-person shopping still holds appeal in key categories

Store closures across the UK have surged in early 2025, with January and February already seeing dozens of high street names shut their doors. DIY chain Homebase closed 33 outlets, while New Look and WHSmith reduced their footprints with additional closures. More branches of these brands are expected to shut in the future, alongside closures from Morrisons, Greggs, Dobbies, and Select Fashion. According to the Centre for Retail Research, the remainder of the year could be even more challenging for the sector, with over 17,000 closures forecast. Amid this backdrop, YouGov Profiles data explores how UK adults are shopping today and whether physical store closures are significantly reshaping consumer behavior.

Online preferences rise, but in-person shopping persists

The notion that store closures are accelerating a shift to online shopping is a popular one. But our research data reveals that the reality is more complex. Among British adults, 4% say they always shop online and 37% mostly shop online. A sizable share (33%) say they split their shopping equally between online and in-person channels. Meanwhile, nearly a quarter (23%) still shop mostly in person, and 4% shop exclusively in stores.

Younger adults are the most online oriented, with nearly half (48%) of those aged 35-44 mostly shopping online, compared to just 29% of those aged 55 and over. That said, the oldest age group (55+) is the most likely to shop mostly or always in person (37% combined), highlighting how store closures may disproportionately affect older shoppers.

Shopping channel preferences vary widely by category

Where consumers choose to shop depends heavily on the type of product they are purchasing. Food and groceries remain firmly offline: Seven in 10 adults mostly or always buy these in-store (69%), and just 14% lean towards online channels. Similarly, items like furniture (44%), bed and bath goods (44%), and health and beauty products (42%) are still largely bought offline.

Technology and entertainment-related items are more likely to be purchased online. A combined 48% of adults buy phones and accessories mostly or entirely online. For books 38% favor online channels and 21% buy mostly offline. Computers and accessories are another online-heavy category, with 40% of Britons preferring the internet.

Clothing is a more balanced space: 32% shop mostly or always online, while 34% prefer in-store, and 30% split the difference. Toys and games show a similar trend, with nearly half of consumers (49%) shopping for them online or evenly across both channels.

Closures may hurt certain demographics more than others

Although the number of physical stores is shrinking, most consumers already mix online and in-person shopping depending on the product category. Only a small segment of shoppers (4%) exclusively rely on physical stores. However, certain demographics, particularly older consumers and those purchasing essentials like food or furniture, may feel the impact of closures more acutely.

Methodology: YouGov Profiles is based on continuously collected data and rolling surveys, rather than from a single limited questionnaire. Profiles data for Great Britain is nationally representative and weighted by age, gender, education, region, and race.