Rise In Independent Store Openings
Despite consumer uncertainty as the prospect of Brexit looms ever larger, data released by the British Independent Retailers Association and the Local Data Company suggests that independent retailers opened more shops than their corporate counterparts in the first half of 2017.
During this period, there were 762 new independent stores – an increase of 0.27 per cent – compared with just four new shops in the same period last year.
Decline of multiples
In contrast, the bigger retailers with multiple outlets have continued their decline. In contrast to the increase in independents, chain retailers saw a net loss of 659 units in the first six months of this year; however, this rate is slower than during the same period in 2016, when 2,001 units closed.
Convenience is king
It seems that the days of the big out-of-town stores are gone, with people now shopping ‘little and often’ as … More >>>