British fashion brand launches 80% off ‘closing down’ sale online after being phased out from high street

A BRITISH retailer has launched an online closing down sale after shutting its physical locations earlier this year. Owner JD Sports has been in the process of phasing out the fashion brand since June. JD Sports previously closed its physical Hip stores as it began phasing out the brand (stock image) Credit: Getty Two Hip sites operated in Leeds and Manchester alongside the website (stock image) Credit: HIP The Hip Store announced an online “closing down sale” across all sections, including menswear, womenswear, and footwear. Popular brands such as Nike and Adidas are also stocked by the retailer, and included in the discounts. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! JD Sports acquired the Hip brand in 2014, with just two shops located in Manchester and Leeds. Both branches ceased operations earlier this summer, with brand initially announcing plans to continue trading online. However, now JD Sports has launched a website-wide sale, with up to 90 per cent off items. It comes after the sportswear brand was forced to closed 24 UK stores earlier this year due to financial uncertainty. JD Sports operates over 4,000 stores worldwide and recently reported a drop in annual earnings. The brand previously shared concerns that tensions in the Middle East could mean higher costs and decreased customer interest. Most read in Money However it said that there had been no “direct exposure” – just “heightened uncertainty”. The business shared plans to cut down on bricks-and-mortar sites in order to have “fewer, bigger and better” shops. Comment now