UK-based clothing and lifestyle retailer FatFace has confirmed it will close all of its Canadian stores this year, marking the end of the brand’s short-lived expansion into the country. The decision comes as part of a broader retreat from brick-and-mortar retail in North America, with the company also shutting down its U.S. stores.
The closures affect approximately 145 jobs across the United States and Canada. FatFace cited economic uncertainty and rising operating costs as the driving factors, calling the physical store model “unviable” in the region at this time.
FatFace entered the Canadian market in 2023 with high hopes, initially opening three stores in Ontario—Niagara-on-the-Lake, Barrie, and Newmarket. Later that year, it launched a Toronto Distillery District pop-up and an outlet location at Toronto Premium Outlets in Halton Hills. By the end of 2023, the brand operated five locations in Canada, with plans for additional stores that never materialized.
The company sought to appeal to Canadian consumers by tailoring products to the market, including maple-leaf motif sweatshirts. FatFace also secured retail spaces in tourist-driven and high-footfall areas, aiming to replicate its lifestyle-driven approach from the UK.
Despite this effort, the stores will now all close permanently, leaving Canadian shoppers with only online access to the brand.
FatFace Moves to Digital-Only in North America
While FatFace’s Canadian and U.S. storefronts will close, the brand confirmed it will maintain online shopping for North American customers. This follows a growing trend among international retailers consolidating their physical presence while expanding e-commerce operations.
FatFace will continue to operate its 175 stores in the United Kingdom, where it has a stronger foothold and long-standing customer base. Since being acquired by British fashion giant Next plc in 2023, FatFace has been integrated into Next’s digital infrastructure, giving the brand a more scalable online platform.
The company has also announced plans to grow its international online reach, exploring entry into additional countries through e-commerce rather than physical retail.
FatFace’s Brand Identity and UK Strength
Founded in 1988 in Méribel, France, FatFace began as a T-shirt brand for skiers before growing into a full lifestyle retailer offering clothing, footwear, accessories, and even pet products. Today, its customer base is largely driven by womenswear, which accounts for nearly two-thirds of its sales.
The brand has positioned itself as a casual, outdoorsy alternative to traditional fashion retailers, with an emphasis on sustainability. FatFace achieved B Corp certification in the UK, reflecting its commitment to ethical and sustainable practices.
This strong reputation and established physical presence in the UK may help shield the company from the difficulties it faced in North America.
