The retail landscape in the Groningen is (literally) shifting, with news coming this week via the GIC that the Swedish fashion giants H&M are to close their store on the Vismarkt. Whilst two other stores (both on the Grote Markt) will remain, a company spokesperson has said that there are no plans to open further stores in the city, and thus conversations are now being held with the staff of the large fashion store on the Vismarkt.
River Island, the British fast-fashion retailer, confirmed to FashionUnited that it will be closing all of its stores in the Netherlands, and its sole outlet in Belgium, by the end of March 2019. No specific reason was given for the closures, but the chain has experienced falling sales in the region for several years. The company will retain an online presence, for anyone looking to get their identikit fashion fix.
Finally, Dutch discount retailer Action is hoping to open an outlet in the former V&D department store building on the Grote Markt, as reported by the DvnH, as well as a store on the Sontplein (on the outskirts of the city centre).
The municipality of Groningen is somewhat against the opening of a giant Action store on the Sontplein that could compete with the city centres’ offering. However the company’s wish to take over the basement of the former department store, that was most recently the ill-fated pop-up market De Grote Roltrap, will meet with fewer concerns.