- Multiple store closures seen in every region in 2017 – except Yorkshire and the Humber.
- West Midlands, Greater London and East of England have seen the most multiple store closures.
- Public Houses and Inns, Newsagents and Bookmakers among the most at risk of closure.
- The North West, North East and Yorkshire and the Humber hold the highest vacancy rates.
- The North West, West Midlands and Scotland have seen extraordinary, independent growth.
As multiple stores (N.B. brands with more than five stores nationally) like New Look, Maplin and Toys ‘R’ Us close at a rapid pace, we look to independent stores as saviours. Often, independent goods have an unrivalled quality and the service is intimate, offering a retail experience that is memorable and tailored to the customer.
Inspired by the rise of independent stores, British marketplace of OnBuy.com considered retail and leisure multiple and independent openings and closures in 2017. Taking time to study where multiple stores have declined in comparison to areas independent stores are opening.
It was found multiple (chain) store closures have been seen in every region – except Yorkshire and the Humber with a rise of 11 openings. The steepest falls were seen in the West Midlands (-143 multiple closures), Greater London (-92 multiple closures) and the East of England (-86 multiple closures.)
Independents, on the other hand, grew everywhere except in the East (-19 independent closures) and South West (-29 independent closures.) Closing at a much lower rate than multiples across the UK.
The North West (230 independent openings), West Midlands (194 independent openings) and Scotland (114 independent openings) saw extraordinary growth in their independent store markets.
Further, Barbers, Beauty Salons, Cafes and Tearooms, Convenience Stores and Tobacconists/Vaping Shops are classifications succeeding the change, per The Retail and Leisure Trends Report by LDC. In contrast, Public Houses and Inns, Clothes – Women, Newsagents, Bookmakers and Shoe Shops are suffering vast closures.
Store Vacancy, 2017
OnBuy.com considered retail and leisure vacancy rates by region, since the end of 2016, and found that only three regions have seen an increase: Greater London (up +0.1%), the South West (up +0.1%) and Yorkshire and the Humber – with the biggest increase of +0.6%.
The best, and doubtless welcome decrease was in the North West, which improved by -0.2%. Indeed, regions that currently hold the highest rate of vacancy include the North West (15.1%), the North East (14.8%) and Yorkshire and the Humber (14.5%.) Alternately, the East of England (10%), South East (9.9%) and Greater London (7.5%) hold the lowest rate of vacancy.
- North West – 15.1%
- North East – 14.8%
- Yorkshire and the Humber – 14.5%
- West Midlands – 14.2%
- East Midlands – 12.1%
- South West – 10.1%
- East of England – 10%
- South East – 9.9%
- Greater London – 7.5%
Cas Paton, managing director of OnBuy.com, comments:
“In the grand scheme of things, vacancy rates are low. The fact that only three regions have seen an increase in vacancies is positive and we must focus on this. Otherwise, we risk consistent, unobliging news of multiple closures obscuring our vision and progress to develop the retail world.
It is sad to see well-loved, British companies closing– but we must move with the times. Keen business men and women have their eye on vacant spaces across the country and we must support our local independents, bricks-and-mortar businesses. It’s the only way for retail to survive.”
