Menu
19/11/2012
Shop Vacancies Reach 15 Month High
New figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) shpw more than one in ten shops are empty, the highest since it began collecting data on occupancy levels of High Street premises.
The BRC said the town centre vacancy rate of 11.3% was the worst figure since its nationwide survey began in July 2011.
The BRC said the worst affected region was Northern Ireland, where the vacancy rate there was 20%.
The next worst regions, Wales and the North and Yorkshire, each had about 15% of retail premises lying empty.
The BRC's director general, Stephen Robertson, said the new figures would set "alarm bells ringing".
The survey also said that overall footfall - which attempts to measure the number of shoppers - dropped by 0.4% on a year ago in the three months to October, with a big drop-off in numbers in October itself, when numbers fell by 2.6%.
The findings echo those from the Office for National Statistics, which last week showed retail sales fell 0.8% in October.
Mr Robertson said that retailers were also being hurt by higher prices and overheads: "Many retailers are battling stagnating sales and rising costs, and next year's threatened business rates increase can only make matters worse.
"If the government wants to breathe life back into our town centres and ensure the retail industry can play its full role in job creation it needs to freeze rates in 2013."
(H)
The BRC said the town centre vacancy rate of 11.3% was the worst figure since its nationwide survey began in July 2011.
The BRC said the worst affected region was Northern Ireland, where the vacancy rate there was 20%.
The next worst regions, Wales and the North and Yorkshire, each had about 15% of retail premises lying empty.
The BRC's director general, Stephen Robertson, said the new figures would set "alarm bells ringing".
The survey also said that overall footfall - which attempts to measure the number of shoppers - dropped by 0.4% on a year ago in the three months to October, with a big drop-off in numbers in October itself, when numbers fell by 2.6%.
The findings echo those from the Office for National Statistics, which last week showed retail sales fell 0.8% in October.
Mr Robertson said that retailers were also being hurt by higher prices and overheads: "Many retailers are battling stagnating sales and rising costs, and next year's threatened business rates increase can only make matters worse.
"If the government wants to breathe life back into our town centres and ensure the retail industry can play its full role in job creation it needs to freeze rates in 2013."
(H)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
06 July 2004
BRC save retail £3 million on fire reform
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) campaign to stop retailers being burdened by unnecessary fire safety requirements has been successful - saving the retail sector £3 million.
BRC save retail £3 million on fire reform
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) campaign to stop retailers being burdened by unnecessary fire safety requirements has been successful - saving the retail sector £3 million.
06 August 2013
Best July Retail Results Since 2007
July saw the fastest retail growth in seven years, thanks to the heatwave, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has said. July was also the third successive month of growth, according to the BRC. Like-for-like sales increased by 2.2% compared to the same period last year, figures from the BRG show. Online sales also increased by 7.
Best July Retail Results Since 2007
July saw the fastest retail growth in seven years, thanks to the heatwave, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has said. July was also the third successive month of growth, according to the BRC. Like-for-like sales increased by 2.2% compared to the same period last year, figures from the BRG show. Online sales also increased by 7.
19 February 2004
Strong retail sales growth stokes interest rate hike
The strong surge in retail sales revealed in the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) has fuelled speculation that another interest rate rise is imminent. According to the ONS figures retail sales in the UK leapt 0.6% in January, raising sales to 6.4% above that of the previous year.
Strong retail sales growth stokes interest rate hike
The strong surge in retail sales revealed in the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) has fuelled speculation that another interest rate rise is imminent. According to the ONS figures retail sales in the UK leapt 0.6% in January, raising sales to 6.4% above that of the previous year.
16 April 2009
Drop In March Retail Sales
There was a second consecutive monthly fall in retail sales recorded in March, it has been revealed. However, despite like-for-like sales falling, some have suggested that the Easter period could have skewed findings. According to the British Retail Consortium sales for the month - compared to the same period in 2008 - were down 1.2%. A drop of 1.
Drop In March Retail Sales
There was a second consecutive monthly fall in retail sales recorded in March, it has been revealed. However, despite like-for-like sales falling, some have suggested that the Easter period could have skewed findings. According to the British Retail Consortium sales for the month - compared to the same period in 2008 - were down 1.2%. A drop of 1.
11 October 2006
UK shoplifting soars despite improved security
The British Retail Consortium's (BRC) 2006 Retail Crime Survey has revealed that shoplifting has soared by 70% since 2000. The survey, sponsored by ADT, shows crime cost retailers �2.1bn last year and �13.26bn since 2000. Over the same period the number of shoplifting incidents rose 70% despite the industry investing more than �4.
UK shoplifting soars despite improved security
The British Retail Consortium's (BRC) 2006 Retail Crime Survey has revealed that shoplifting has soared by 70% since 2000. The survey, sponsored by ADT, shows crime cost retailers �2.1bn last year and �13.26bn since 2000. Over the same period the number of shoplifting incidents rose 70% despite the industry investing more than �4.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Clear intervals and occasional wintry showers this evening with local fresh snowfalls and some ice. Overnight as winds ease showers will die back to northern coastal areas. Frosty. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
