Major UK high street shop issues update after plunging into administration - 40 stores

Quiz will slash its prices even further after plunging into administration on February 5, leaving 109 staff members redundant. Head of Interpath administrators, Alistair McAlinden, confirmed that all 40 stores remain open and that it will commence additional clearance discounts to clear any remaining stock.

Interpath's managing director, Geoff Jacobs, also urged "any remaining parties with an interest in acquiring the stock, store operations and infrastructure of Quiz" to contact the firm as soon as possible. The shop, which was founded in 1993, fell into administration last week for the third time in six years, triggering 109 redundancies across Quiz's head office in Glasgow and distribution centre in Bellshill, Lanarkshire.

Administrators said the company had been struggling over the past year and faced "strong economic headwinds", and was tipped over the edge by a poor Christmas trading period.

It cited "changing consumer habits, cost pressures from business rates and the recent increases to employment costs" as reasons for its administration.

The chain, which employs around 565 people and has 40 stores across the UK, closed its website immediately on February 5, and it stopped accepting online orders. It will also no longer accept refunds unless the item is faulty.

Interpath said that Quiz concession stands in New Look and Matalan stores would not form part of the administration processes.

Mr McAlinden said at the time: "With Quiz, the latest retailer to fall into administration, there's no doubt it's been a tough start to 2026 for the UK High Street.

"It's our intention to continue to trade all stores and the concessions in Ireland as a going concern for as long as we can while we assess options for the business."

Several other high street closures have been attributed to cost pressures that were compounded by Labour's decision to increase National Insurance contributions for employers and the minimum wage.

Banks have also left the high street in their hundreds, stating that changing consumer habits mean most customers now prefer to bank online.