New research shows that the rate of shop closures slowed last year compared with 2012. Year-on-year, the number of net store closures fell by nearly 80 per cent, from 1,779 in 2012 to 371 in 2013.<\/p>\n
However, clothing stores and footwear businesses continued to be among the hardest-hit categories, accounting for around two thirds of closures during the year.<\/p>\n
By the end of 2013, there were 113 fewer womenswear stores than at the start of the year, and 83 fewer shops selling both men\u2019s and women\u2019s clothing. Footwear stores also dropped by a net total of 66 units, while accessories outlets declined by 19. <\/p>\n
The report showed that photographic shops, banks, video libraries, travel agents, mobile phone outlets and recruitment agencies were also amongst the biggest casualties for the high street in 2013.<\/p>\n
According to the report, the marked shift among major supermarkets into convenience store retailing was the biggest positive trend last year, as grocers snapped up shops left vacant by the demise of big names such as HMV and Blockbuster.<\/p>\n
Convenience stores increased by 10 per cent on a net basis last year, adding to growing numbers of charity shops, cafes, bookmakers, cheque-cashing outlets and sports good shops.<\/p>\n
However, despite easing conditions, the figures mark the third year in a row of a net reduction in bricks and mortar retailers, down 0.57 per cent overall, with potentially more to come as online shopping starts to encroach on their trade.<\/p>\n
Retailers were also dealt a blow in this week\u2019s budget, with Chancellor George Osborne ignoring calls for widespread reform of business rates, which are seen as threatening the survival of many smaller shops.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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