Poundland, a major UK discount retailer with over 800 branches, is set to close its store in Liverpool’s Belle Vale Shopping Centre on May 6, 2025, due to lease issues. This closure reflects a broader trend of retail contraction in the UK, influenced by the cost-of-living crisis, rising employment costs, and increasing shoplifting. The British Retail Consortium forecasts that national insurance hikes may cost the retail sector £2.3 billion, while research indicates that 55% of companies expect to raise prices. The Centre for Retail Research projects 17,350 store closures and up to 202,000 job losses in 2025, surpassing pandemic-era levels. These developments underscore the ongoing challenges in the retail landscape as businesses grapple with financial pressures and shifting market dynamics.