British sports retailer and 4 more giant companies crash into administration

With less than three months into 2026, the number of businesses in the UK facing administration and even shutting down has seen a notable rise. This year, many businesses have stepped forward to express their difficulties, including clothing brands, construction firms, food suppliers, and energy companies, which is affecting many jobs.

In the last two weeks, an astonishing 40 companies went into administration, as reported in notices published in The Gazette, the official public record of the UK. In January 2026, the number of administrations was 41% greater than in December 2025 and 14% higher compared to January 2025, based on Government statistics. Recently, a popular sporting retailer, an energy company, a furniture chain, a food supplier and construaction company have plunged into administration.