JD Sports confirmed the closures of its remaining Hip Store brick-and-mortar sites, according to reports. The Manchester store at Thomas Street will cease operations on June 28, 2026. The Leeds location faces an imminent shutdown, also by the end of June.

Hip Store, part of the JD Group, will shift entirely to online sales after these closures. Size?, another JD Group brand, plans to open a new store in the Manchester space, the company stated.

The moves coincide with turmoil at GAME, the British gaming retailer. GAME filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators through law firm RPC. This step grants a 10-day legal protection from creditors.

Standalone GAME stores appear headed for permanent closure. Concessions inside Frasers Group sites, such as Sports Direct and Frasers, should stay open, sources indicated.

This marks GAME’s second brush with administration in 15 years. In 2012, the chain collapsed, forcing 277 stores to close and cutting 2,000 jobs.

Warning signs have already appeared. On January 31, a notice in the GAME window at Merry Hill shopping centre announced: “GAME. This store will be closing in APRIL 2026. Please shop online at www.game.co.uk.” Large in-store displays proclaimed “Closing down. All stock must go!” The outlet sits on the centre’s bottom floor.

Retail pressures mount across the sector. JD’s Hip Store exits reflect a pivot to e-commerce amid shifting consumer habits. GAME’s struggles echo broader challenges for physical gaming sales.

Frasers Group, which owns Sports Direct and House of Fraser, hosts many GAME concessions. Those outposts provide a lifeline as freestanding branches falter.

JD Sports operates hundreds of stores across the UK under various brands. Hip Store specialized in urban fashion. Its online platform will carry the full range post-closures.

Administrators for GAME will assess options during the protection period. Potential buyers or restructuring could salvage parts of the business. Creditors hold off on actions until the freeze lifts.

Shoppers at Merry Hill noticed the signs weeks ago. Staff offered deep s on remaining inventory. The centre, in the West Midlands, draws heavy foot traffic.

UK high streets grapple with rising costs and online competition. GAME’s 2012 rescue came via private equity. This round tests the chain’s viability once more.

JD Group reported strong overall sales recently. Footwear and apparel drove growth. The Hip Store closures represent a minor adjustment in its vast portfolio.