The English Court, a fashion retailer owned by a small business operator on Alfonso el Sabio Street in Alicante, is undergoing a strategic reorganization across multiple cities in Spain. The planned August shutdown is part of a broader effort to reshape the company’s commercial mix nationwide. Importantly, the plan involves relocating twenty staff members from the Alicante store to the Maisonnave and Federico Soto headquarters rather than implementing layoffs.
The company has already identified a buyer for the building, which covers about 4,500 square meters. Although the retail activity previously extended over five floors, with two underground levels and three above ground, the current rearrangement focuses on optimizing residential and commercial space usage to better align with modern consumer habits and market demand.
From the company’s perspective, the decision forms part of a Spain-wide process to recalibrate the store network. The goal is to concentrate on locations with a complete product offer while reducing those that rely on partial assortments. The Alicante flagship, Alfonso el Sabio, has been a strong player in teen fashion with a substantial influence from the Sfera label, which has long anchored its identity since the brand’s early days.
As part of the restructuring, the company has already shut down one of its operations in Valencia, located on Calle Colón, and facilities in La Vaguada and Parquesur shopping centers in Madrid, in addition to the Gran Vía location in Bilbao. The move aims to increase efficiency amid a retail landscape shaped by rising e-commerce and other structural shifts, prompting operators to adapt swiftly.
The decision signals a broader effort to modernize the network while balancing the needs of a diverse consumer base and maintaining a presence in key urban centers. The evolving market environment continues to push retailers toward streamlined operations and consolidated offerings that resonate with today’s shoppers.
Major Alicante store to stay open on most holidays throughout the year
The historic Alicante site on Alfonso el Sabio street—formerly home to the major department store in the city—underwent a significant change in the mid-1990s when the original chain ceased operations. The subsequent acquisition aimed to relocate the flagship’s footprint from Maisonnave Avenue to this central commercial artery, reinforcing its status among Alicante’s most important shopping districts.
After a comprehensive renovation, the new concept opened its doors on June 15, 2002, under the youth fashion banner Sfera. That era marked a direct competitive stance with other youth-focused brands such as Zara and Springfield, which were rapidly expanding at the time. Later, the corporate identity evolved to El Corte Inglés, broadening its offering while preserving the strong influence of the Sfera line.
The current plan involves winding down operations at the Alicante location during August, marking a notable milestone nearly two decades after the store’s revival.