In a surprising move, Swedish fashion brand GANT has closed its Glasgow city centre store with immediate effect, leaving customers and local businesses speculating over the reasons behind the abrupt decision.
The store, located at 230 Ingram Street, directly across from the Gallery of Modern Art, had long been a fixture in the city’s luxury retail quarter, offering premium men’s and women’s apparel, sportswear, watches, and accessories.
A sign posted in the shop window now simply reads: “We are now closed.”
No Prior Announcement
As of Tuesday morning, no official press release has been issued by GANT regarding the store closure, nor is there any explanation listed on its UK website. Staff have not commented publicly, and it is unclear whether the decision reflects a wider restructuring of GANT’s UK operations or an isolated local issue.
The company continues to operate stores in London, Edinburgh, and via concessions in department stores across the UK. Online operations remain unaffected.
Location, Footfall, and Fashion Pressures
GANT’s Ingram Street outlet sat in one of Glasgow’s most prestigious retail zones — just steps from the Merchant City and adjacent to global luxury brands like Ralph Lauren, Mulberry, and Hugo Boss. However, even premium corridors have not been immune to shifting consumer behaviour.
Retail experts cite declining footfall, high operational costs, and an accelerated shift to e-commerce as contributing factors in the gradual retreat of brick-and-mortar fashion stores.
“This is a prominent retail loss for Glasgow’s city centre,” said Elaine Burke, retail analyst at High Street Futures. “Even well-established heritage brands like GANT are feeling the pinch from reduced high street activity and the rising cost of physical retail.”
Ingram Street has historically attracted fashion-conscious shoppers and tourists alike, but since the COVID-19 pandemic, the recovery has been uneven — with several nearby units experiencing short-term leases, frequent turnover, or closure.
The Bigger Picture in Retail
GANT’s sudden departure follows a broader trend of high-profile retail exits from UK city centres, including shutdowns or consolidations by brands such as Jigsaw, The Kooples, and Reiss in certain locations. The move may reflect not only strategic cost-cutting but also revised investment priorities as brands double down on digital-first retail models.
According to Savills UK’s 2025 Q1 retail report, demand for large-format stores in secondary cities has softened, with many brands opting for smaller footprint stores, pop-ups, or department store concessions to maintain presence with lower overhead.
Customer and Local Reaction
Local shoppers and regular customers have expressed disappointment at the closure, with several taking to social media to comment on the store’s abrupt disappearance. One user wrote: “Really sad to see GANT gone — always bought my smart-casuals there. No warning at all.”
The Glasgow Chamber of Commerce declined to comment directly on GANT’s closure but reiterated its ongoing commitment to revitalising the city centre retail economy through business rate reforms and increased cultural programming.
