Three years after launching its first stores in the UK, US sportswear giant Lids is reportedly about to shut down its operations there. All of the brand’s UK outlets are anticipated to close upon agreements reached during the company’s reportedly ongoing lease termination talks with landlords.
Since its December 2021 launch in the UK, Lids has grown to 20 actual retail locations. As shown by rumoured plans to construct its first standalone store in the UK, the UK has remained a significant market for Fanatics, the parent business of the brand.
Details of the store are still unknown, but according to sources, a location in London was being considered for the opening. This is Fanatics’ first foray into the high street; previously, they had only ever targeted stadiums and sporting arenas for their retail outlets.
Fanatics’ footprint in the UK, which it joined in 2016 after purchasing rival Kitbag, will be strengthened by the opening.
Through a number of alliances, including one with the Football Association (FA), which it recently extended to include the e-commerce rights of the official online England store and physical stores during England home games, it has since continued to solidify its position in the area.
