By Daily Mail Reporter Last updated at 10:41 AM on 28th June 2011 Chocolate retailer Thorntons dealt a further blow to the High Street today by announcing plans to close up to 180 stores. The struggling store will close 120 outlets over three years in another high-profile retail slump following the recent failures of Habitat, Jane Norman, TJ Hughes and Oddbins. Thorntons, which celebrated its 100th anniversary this year, will close the stores as their leases expire, and is considering the future of 60 other outlets. Strugging: Thorntons bosses said the chocolate maker announced the store closures to cope with 'challenging trading conditions'
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Chocolate maker to close stores on 100th anniversary
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Firm closing 120 stores, considers future of 60 others
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Thorntons closures follow failures of Jane Norman, Habitat, TJ Hughes and Oddbins
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DFS defies slump with plans for eight new stores
Elsewhere, department store chain @placeholder joined the increasing ranks of struggling high street brands when it today announced it would be appointing an administrator in the next 10 days.