Quiz Closes Online Store as 109 Scottish Jobs Disappear
Fashion retailer Quiz has tumbled into administration for the third time since 2020, marking another devastating blow to the UK high street. Administrators from Interpath were appointed on 5th February 2026 to oversee the restructuring of the Glasgow-based chain, which targets fashion-forward females aged 16 to 35. The immediate impact has been severe, with 109 redundancies confirmed across the company's head office in Glasgow and its distribution centre in Bellshill, Lanarkshire. The retailer's online store has shut down completely, though its 40 physical shops across the UK and seven concessions in Ireland remain open for now.
Founded in 1993, Quiz employs approximately 565 people, meaning nearly one-fifth of its workforce faces immediate job losses. The administrators have stated their intention to continue trading all stores and Irish concessions as a going concern whilst they assess options for the business's future. Joint administrator Alistair McAlinden acknowledged that Quiz represents "the latest retailer to fall into administration" during what has been "a tough start to 2026 for the UK high street." Interpath has confirmed that Quiz concessions operating within New Look and Matalan stores in the UK are not included in the administration process and remain unaffected.
Disappointing Christmas Sales Seal Retailer's Fate
The collapse comes after Quiz experienced weaker-than-expected sales during the crucial Christmas trading period, which proved to be the final nail in the coffin for the struggling chain. According to administrators, the company had actually performed better than anticipated up until the end of September 2025, making the festive season downturn particularly damaging. The directors explored various options to secure the business's future, including attempts to obtain additional funding, but ultimately no solvent solution could be found.
Interpath cited multiple economic headwinds that had battered Quiz over the past 12 months, including changing consumer habits and significant cost pressures. Business rates and recent increases to employment costs had squeezed margins considerably. The fashion retail sector has faced intense competition from ultra-fast-fashion brands such as Shein, which have capitalised on the shift towards online shopping and offer rapidly changing inventory at rock-bottom prices. This competitive landscape has made it increasingly difficult for mid-market retailers like Quiz to maintain their customer base and profitability.
Customers Face Restrictions on Returns and Refunds
Shoppers who have purchased Quiz products face significant limitations on returns and refunds following the administration appointment. All 40 stores have immediately launched clearance sales, and any products purchased on or after 5th February 2026 will not be eligible for returns unless they are faulty. Products purchased before this date can still be exchanged in person at Quiz shops, but card or cash refunds will not be provided under any circumstances.
The situation is particularly frustrating for online customers who had already returned items but not yet received their refunds. Administrators have confirmed that these customers will regrettably not receive refunds from Quiz and should instead contact their credit or debit card providers to seek assistance through chargeback procedures. Gift cards and credit notes will not be honoured at any Quiz locations. Joint administrator Geoff Jacobs has urged any parties interested in acquiring the stock, store operations and infrastructure to contact Interpath "as a matter of urgency."
Quiz's Troubled History of Financial Restructuring
This marks the third administration for Quiz in just six years, revealing a pattern of financial instability that the company has been unable to overcome. The retailer first entered administration in 2020, when it announced plans to place 82 of its UK and Ireland shops into the process before buying them back in a move designed to renegotiate rent agreements with landlords. That restructuring resulted in 93 job losses but allowed the company to continue trading with reduced overheads.
Less than a year ago, in February 2025, Quiz collapsed into administration for the second time. On that occasion, the business was immediately purchased by Orion, a subsidiary controlled by the founding Ramzan family, in what is known as a pre-pack administration deal. Orion acquired the Quiz brand and 42 shops, but the transaction led to 200 job losses as other stores were permanently closed. The company had previously enjoyed more prosperous times, listing on the London Stock Exchange in 2017 and raising more than £100 million. However, the subsequent years have proven increasingly challenging for the mid-market fashion retailer.
UK High Street Faces Mounting Retail Casualties
Quiz's collapse is part of a broader crisis affecting British retail in early 2026, with several well-known chains entering administration. The fashion sector has been particularly hard hit, as traditional retailers struggle to compete with the convenience and pricing of online-only competitors. Changing consumer habits, accelerated by the pandemic, have permanently shifted shopping patterns away from physical stores towards digital channels, leaving many bricks-and-mortar operations with unsustainable cost structures.
The administrators have emphasised that affected Quiz staff will receive support during this difficult period, though the prospects for the remaining 456 employees remain uncertain. Interpath will continue operating the stores whilst seeking potential buyers for all or parts of the business. The outcome will likely depend on whether any party sees value in the Quiz brand and its remaining store portfolio, or whether the clearance sales will mark the final chapter for a retailer that once held promise as a publicly listed company. The case serves as another stark reminder of the structural challenges facing the UK high street in an era dominated by ultra-fast fashion and e-commerce giants.