Supermarket chain Kwik Save on Wednesday closed stores across the country after announcing huge cutbacks aimed at securing the business.
Shoppers in Wales, Scotland, the North West, West Midlands and Northern England were among those turning up at their local store to find that closure signs were posted outside.
The firm is closing 79 stores, with the loss of several hundred jobs, leaving 147 open.
Among those closing are stores in Bangor, Holyhead, Pembroke Dock, Rhyl, Risca, Pontypool, and two in Brynmawr, all in Wales; 10 in Yorkshire, including Selby, Clifton Moor, Halifax, Harehills, Ilkley, Wetherby and three in Doncaster.
The chain has also closed stores in the West Midlands, including Sandwell, West Bromwich, Great Bridge, Princes End and Blackheath.
The Kwik Save store in Wellington, Shropshire, closed on Tuesday with the loss of up to 12 jobs. Customers turning up to the supermarket found a note at the premises announcing its closure.
The company said in a brief statement: "It is with regret that Kwik Save has had to make this difficult decision. However, in order to enable the business to succeed, the Kwik Save management team has had to announce these cutbacks to secure the future of the business.
"Kwik Save would like to thank all of its staff affected by this regrettable situation for their commitment to the company over the years."
A spokesman for the shopworkers' union Usdaw said: "This is a huge number of closures which will affect many workers.
"We will be seeking an urgent meeting with the company to clarify what redundancy package workers can expect as well as discussing the long-term future of the business."
