High Street Brands Brits Miss the Most
After five years away, Topshop and Topman have confirmed their long-awaited return to the UK high street, sparking a sense of nostalgia for other much-missed retail names.
To uncover which former favourites shoppers would like back on the high street, Liquidation Centre analysed online search data to find the most in-demand closed-down brands. Alongside the data, Richard Hunt, Director at Liquidation Centre, shares insights into what went wrong for these retailers and what today’s businesses can learn from their closures.
The Top 10 High Street Brands Brits Want Back
| Rank | Retailer | Average Monthly Search Volume (UK) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Debenhams | 499,000 |
| 2 | Dorothy Perkins | 65,000 |
| 3 | Toys R Us | 61,000 |
| 4 | Cath Kidston | 35,000 |
| 5 | Thorntons | 32,000 |
| 6 | Mothercare | 28,000 |
| 7 | BHS | 19,000 |
| 8 | Woolworths | 19,000 |
| 9 | Miss Selfridge | 9,500 |
| 10 | Blockbuster | 8,200 |
*The full data and methodology is available to view here.
Debenhams: 499,000 Monthly Online Searches
Debenhams tops the list as the most-missed retailer, with nearly half a million searches every month. Although Boohoo acquired the Debenhams brand and website in 2021, its stores were left behind — and later closed for good. Boohoo has since rebranded to Debenhams, reviving the well-known name online. However, there are no current plans for a physical return, as the company now positions itself as “Britain’s online department store.”
Richard Hunt comments: “The combination of failing to adapt to shifting consumer habits towards online shopping alongside the financial impact of Brexit and the pandemic contributed towards Debenhams financial strain. However, their issues began years prior to these events, with the company carrying unsustainable debts due to poor financial decisions.
Their online-only comeback will be exciting for many fans, but it also serves as a stark reminder of their failure to compete effectively on the high street amid a changing market.”
Dorothy Perkins: 65,000 Monthly Searches
Search data shows Dorothy Perkins still has a loyal following, with around 65,000 searches a month. The fashion retailer, part of the former Arcadia Group, entered administration in 2020 before being bought by Boohoo in 2021. As with Debenhams, Boohoo acquired the brand name and online presence but not its physical stores.
Hunt states: “Dorothy Perkins, which was part of the Arcadia Group, is another example of a traditional retailer that struggled to adapt to a rapidly changing market. Despite Arcadia undergoing a CVA (Company Voluntary Agreement) to repay debts and avoid liquidation, the company’s failure to compete with fast-growing online retailers, combined with a changing market landscape and high overheads, led to crippling financial issues, which ultimately led to the downfall of their Dorothy Perkins brand.
Toys R Us: 61,000 Monthly Online Searches
In third place is the once-beloved children’s store, Toys R Us, which continues to see 61,000 average monthly searches. The company went into administration in 2018 after years of financial struggle, including a £15m tax bill it could not pay. Poor sales performance, competition from other toy retailers and online marketplaces, and the growing appeal of technology among children all made it increasingly difficult for the brand to stay afloat. Ultimately, these challenges led to significant financial difficulties and the closure of its stores.
Richard Hunt explains: “Toys R Us seemed to fail to move with the times. As children’s interests began to shift towards more tech-related items, the stores failed to adapt and capitalise on this trend. They were also priced out of a very competitive market, with other brands offering the same quality branded toys at a lower price. Additionally, reports pointed to dull, outdated store interiors that lacked the excitement and appeal once central to the Toys R Us experience. More enticing and exciting options become available, leaving the brand behind.
Richard Hunt, Director at Liquidation Centre shares his expert insights on what led to the downfall of these beloved UK brands, and offers practical lessons for retailers aiming to stay competitive and adapt in a changing market.
“The current economic climate poses increasing risks to businesses, especially those in the retail sector. It is much easier to lose consumers than to retain them, which is why regular market research and competitor analysis are so essential. .Staying ahead of the curve as conditions evolve is critical to long-term survival.
“As we’ve seen , poor financial management and decisions have contributed to the downfall of several once-iconic household brands, proving how crucial it is to have effective financial strategies and management in place.”
“For businesses facing financial strain, the first step is to thoroughly assess all revenue streams and expenses. Exploring debt management options and cutting unnecessary costs where feasible is key. This might include negotiating with creditors, landlords, or suppliers to ease financial pressure and begin recovery.”
“If a business reaches the point where liquidation becomes a risk, swift action is vital. Seeking advice from a licensed insolvency practitioner (IP) can help clarify your options and potentially avoid insolvency altogether.”
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Methodology:
- Liquidation Centre looked into which popular high street retailers consumers want to see make a comeback.
- To do this, they created a list of well-known retailers who have shut their high street stores in recent years.
- They then analysed average monthly UK search volumes for each of these by using Ahrefs Keyword Explorer, to see which retailers still remain most popular.
- To ensure accuracy, any retailers with double meanings (e.g. Oasis) were searched using more specific, related terms, such as ‘Oasis clothing’.
- Retailers that still have online websites were also included, to demonstrate demand for their products via the amount of searches.
- Stores with less than 1,000 searches were not included in the final data set.
- Data was collected May 2025, and is accurate as of then.
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