A popular British men’s clothing brand, known as Big Boys, has recently shut down its operations due to entering administration. The company, officially named Great Clothing Ltd, specialized in offering plus-size clothing for men in sizes ranging from 2XL to 10XL. Situated in Leeds, the retailer employed an average of 12 individuals throughout the year 2025.
Chris Brooksbank from CB Business Recovery Ltd has been assigned as the administrator for the company. A statement on the Big Boys website conveyed that the decision to cease trading was made after careful deliberation. Despite numerous efforts to overcome financial challenges, the company found it unsustainable to continue its operations.
An insolvency practice has been engaged to manage the company’s affairs, business, and assets, with a licensed Insolvency Practitioner set to be appointed shortly to act as the company’s administrator without personal liability.
In other retail news, River Island is set to close a minimum of 27 stores this month as part of a significant restructuring plan. The struggling fashion retailer had previously announced the closure of 33 stores, including locations in Brighton, Edinburgh Princes Street, Great Yarmouth, and Stockton-on-Tees, which shut down in the final months of 2025. Additional stores in Norwich, Norfolk, and Workington, Cumbria, are also on the closure list, although specific closure dates have not been confirmed.
As part of the restructuring, River Island is reducing rents at an additional 71 shops. The clothing chain had a total of 223 stores across the UK and Ireland at the time when its rescue plan was reviewed in court back in August this year.
Poundland, another major retailer, is planning to close 12 stores in January following approval from the High Court as part of its restructuring process. The discount store had closed 57 outlets by the end of September under the approved plan after being acquired by investment firm Gordon Brothers for a nominal fee. Poundland, which had 800 branches last summer, anticipates reducing this number to approximately 650 to 700 stores through a combination of closures and natural lease expirations.
The company also revealed its implementation of a simplified pricing structure of £1, £2, and £3 across its UK stores. Under this new system, around 60% of grocery items will be priced at £1, while 20% and 20% will be priced at £2 and £3, respectively. Poundland has also updated its website to only allow product browsing, with no option for online purchases.