The privately-owned company, which employs approximately 347 people in the country, citied an unpredictable retail environment as a main factor in its decision. “We have adapted to this evolving landscape by investing our product proposition and digital offer. However, due to increasingly volatile trading conditions, we needed to expedite out existing plans, which included conducting a review of our operations in the Republic of Ireland”, the company stated.

New Look has faced significant challenges in recent years, including head office job cuts, a store reduction from 800 to 400, and a strategic shift toward online shopping. Employees were informed immediately after the appointment of liquidations at the High Court, and a 30-day staff consultation process has begun.

Despite the Irish exit, New Look’s parent UK company will continue operations through its 334 stores and online platform. The company currently operates 26 stores across Ireland, including locations in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Wicklow, and Letterkenny, County Donegal.

As part of the closure process, all Irish stores will shut down in the coming days before reopening later this month for a final clearance sale.