Britain’s beleaguered retailers closed an average of 20 stores a day between January and the end of May, according to a report from a research business specialising in retail.
The report also revealed that across multiple retailers in 300 town centres, clothes, shoe shops and jewellers have been amongst the hardest hit in 201 whilst supermarkets, convenience stores and cafes bucked the trend by showing growth in the first half of 2011.
It would appear that the combination of rising inflation and dented consumer confidence has led to people increasingly trying to find the best deal online. This has made life difficult for store-dependent high street retailers who have seen a drop in sales and reduced footfall.
Matthew Hopkinson, director of the research company, said that retailers now require fewer stores in fewer locations but with larger floorplates.
He added: “The negative trend seen here is, however, offset by the supermarkets and their move into convenience formats, along with the new opportunities presented to charity shops, pawnbrokers and betting shops.”
The companies analysis shows that Rochdale and Lancaster were the hardest hit towns in the north west. In the north west, 17 womenswear and childrenswear outlets closed and 12 bars, clubs and pubs closed, while there was a growth in charity shops and pet shops.
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