British beauty retailer Space NK closing China stores

British multi-brand beauty retailer Space NK has closed its shops in China, just two years after its debut there.

The retailer had opened stores in Chinese metropolitan cities Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing and Chengdu, with eight stores in total. Following the coronavirus pandemic which saw most of the nation’s shops closed in February, the company this week confirmed reports that all of its stores have subsequently been shuttered and staff laid off.

Space NK has not revealed any immediate plans to list through online retail channels Tmall or JD, despite its investment in multi-channel retailing in other markets.

CEO and former digital director of Space NK, Andy Lightfoot, told BW Confidential: “The simplification allows us to concentrate on our core business and operations while focusing investment on continuing to grow across all key markets, of which China remains one”.

Space NK’s international expansion continues to look towards the US and Canada with an aggressive launch across the UK market.