Hobbycraft Stores Closing: What It Means for the Future of UK High Streets in 2025

The Hobbycraft stores closing in 2025 have added to a growing wave of store closures across the UK. As major retailers like WHSmith and Hobbycraft struggle with a shift in consumer habits, the closure of physical locations has become an all-too-common headline. With online shopping becoming the preferred method for many consumers, along with high rents and competition from global chains, the retail landscape is changing rapidly. Hobbycraft’s decision to close stores is a significant blow to the UK’s high street, as it reflects broader economic trends that are forcing brands to rethink their business models.

The Struggles Facing Hobbycraft and the UK High Street

In recent years, the UK high street has faced numerous challenges, from the rise of online shopping to the impact of global economic pressures. One major casualty of this shift is Hobbycraft, a well-known name in the world of arts and crafts. As part of its ongoing restructuring, Hobbycraft announced that it would be closing nine stores, with 18 more at risk. This news has left many wondering what the future holds for the craft store chain, as well as for the high streets it once helped to define.

The Restructuring of Hobbycraft

Hobbycraft’s decision to close stores is part of a larger overhaul by its parent company, Modella Capital. After acquiring the retailer in August 2024, Modella Capital has sought to transform the brand’s operations in order to adapt to the changing retail environment. The store closures are part of the ongoing restructuring efforts, which aim to streamline the company and focus on the most profitable areas of its business. With a decline in foot traffic to traditional brick-and-mortar stores, Hobbycraft is forced to evolve, just like many other high street chains.

Why Are Hobbycraft Stores Closing?

The closures come as Hobbycraft attempts to adjust to evolving market conditions. Several factors contribute to the decision to close stores:

Rise in Online Shopping: More consumers are opting for online shopping due to convenience, competitive pricing, and the ability to easily compare products across multiple platforms. This trend has made it more difficult for high street stores like Hobbycraft to maintain profitability in their physical locations.
High Rents and Operating Costs: Running physical stores on the UK high street comes with a significant financial burden. With high rent costs, utility bills, and staffing expenses, maintaining multiple locations has become increasingly difficult for smaller retailers, especially in the face of shrinking foot traffic.
Changing Consumer Behavior: As consumer preferences change, many shoppers now prefer to shop from home. Whether it’s buying art supplies, craft kits, or seasonal items, shoppers are more likely to purchase these goods from online retailers, leading to a decline in footfall at stores like Hobbycraft.
Business Restructuring: Modella Capital’s acquisition of Hobbycraft has led to a broader restructuring plan aimed at focusing on more profitable areas of the business. The store closures are part of this strategy to reposition the brand in a way that aligns better with current market trends.

What Does This Mean for the UK High Street?

The closure of Hobbycraft stores is another example of how the UK high street is transforming. Once considered the heart of the community, high streets have been severely impacted by the rise of e-commerce, changing consumer preferences, and high operational costs. This closure is part of a broader pattern of diminishing foot traffic to traditional retail outlets.

As many well-known names in retail continue to close stores, it raises the question of what the future of the high street will look like. Will there be more empty storefronts, or will the high street evolve into a new model that includes a mix of essential services, experiences, and digital offerings? Only time will tell.

The Future of Hobbycraft and Other High Street Stores

While Hobbycraft stores closing is a sad development for both employees and customers, the brand itself is not necessarily on the brink of extinction. As Hobbycraft and other retailers like WHSmith continue to restructure, they are also pivoting toward a more digital-first approach. This could include enhancing their online presence, offering click-and-collect services, and exploring new ways to engage customers in the digital age.

For example, some Hobbycraft locations may be transformed into smaller, experience-focused hubs where customers can attend workshops, take part in craft classes, or buy supplies for home projects. This hybrid model may help the brand retain its presence in the physical retail space while addressing the growing demand for online shopping.

The Wider Impact of Retail Closures

Beyond Hobbycraft, the closures of other high street brands have a broader impact on communities. With many people still relying on physical stores for daily necessities, the closure of a local shop can leave a void. It can affect employment, local economies, and even the vibrancy of town centers.

As Hobbycraft and other retailers like WHSmith close branches, it’s important to consider the ripple effect. The loss of jobs, the disruption to local economies, and the reduction in options for shoppers all contribute to the challenge facing the UK high street. In response, local authorities and business owners must find new ways to revitalize these spaces, whether through offering new services, fostering more community-based events, or creating hybrid retail models that blend the digital and physical worlds.

What’s Next for Hobbycraft and the UK High Street?

The Hobbycraft stores closing in 2025 are a clear indicator of the challenges that the UK high street faces in the modern retail landscape. As brands like Hobbycraft and WHSmith close branches, it’s clear that businesses must adapt to survive. For Hobbycraft, this means focusing on a more digital-first approach and restructuring its operations to focus on the most profitable areas.

As the retail world continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the likes of Hobbycraft adjust to the shifting tides. For those interested in more updates on the changes in the entertainment industry, check out this article about Oscar voters now required to watch all films before casting their ballots: Oscar Voters Required to View All Films Before Casting Ballots.