Retailers Focus DIY and Shopko face collapse and mass closures

Retailers Focus DIY and Shopko have faced significant collapses, resulting in widespread store closures and job losses.

In the United Kingdom, the home improvement retailer Focus DIY entered administration in May 2011. The company, which specialized in renovation, maintenance, and gardening products, struggled with financial losses, intense competition, and a weak housing market. At the time of administration, the chain operated 178 stores and employed 3,919 people. While administrators from Ernst & Young secured buyers for 55 stores—including deals with B&Q, Wickes, and B&M that preserved approximately 900 jobs—the remaining units faced closure and layoffs.

In the United States, the department store chain Shopko, founded in 1962, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January 2019. The company faced high debt, pressure from major retailers, and competition from e-commerce. Although the initial goal was financial reorganization, the inability to find a buyer led to a complete liquidation of its operations. By June 2019, all 363 stores were closed, affecting approximately 18,000 workers through various stages of the shutdown.