Safeway’s didn’t actually “go” as such. They were taken over by Morrison’s and most of their shops survived.
Boots and W H Smith are on the line. Many retailers have not responded to the online revolution. All many of them have done is become collection points for their companies’ online orders. They need to provide something that the online traders don’t: e.g fitting rooms, and some other services. Go into many of them and all you get is a picture of some goods. When you want one “You’ll have to order that online”. Well I can do that from the comfort of my front room, thanks. Shareholders will not put up with funding expensive high street collection points staffed by people with nothing to do.
BTW - you can always check the "no substitutes" box, mushroom.