Major retail chains to close locations as two brands combine

Major retail chains to close locations as two brands combineThere are currently no planned redundanciesMoneyNeil Shaw Assistant Editor (Money and Lifestyle)06:35, 14 Apr 2026Updated 06:35, 14 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesThe businesses will combine branches where they are close togetherSome shops are to disappear as a major retailer combines two brands into one on the High Street. Mobile provider VodafoneThree has launched a major overhaul of its retail stores which will see the two brands combine under one roof following the £15 billion merger of the businesses.The telecoms giant stressed that it is committed to the UK high street following the merger and will remain in every town where it already has a presence.‌However, it is understood the transformation plan will see some consolidation leading to a small number of potential store closures where Vodafone and Three currently run neighbouring premises. It is not clear which locations will be affected and is likely to take place over a number of years.‌It is nevertheless understood that there are no planned redundancies linked to the transformation, which will see Vodafone and Three stores shift into dual-branded locations. VodafoneThree said it will invest tens of millions of pounds into the programme, which will give it the largest footprint of any mobile network operator in the UK.‌View 3 ImagesA Vodafone mobile phone store in Oxford Street.The group said investment will increase the amount of support and advice available at its retail locations, including new services such as Fix & Go by Vodafone, offering additional repair services for customers. The transformation will include flagship stores in major cities, including sites in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Cardiff, the company said.Article continues belowJon Shaw, consumer operations director at VodafoneThree, said: “We know how important stores like ours are to the health of the high street and the communities which rely on them. From shopping d...