High Street Retailers To Call For “Online Sales Tax”

[gadget]

As an ex-retailer I can categorically state............

Retail on the high street is a dead duck for most businesses due to draconian parking measures over priced rents and scandalous rates

You should probably tell that to all the shoppers:

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/revealed-oxford-streets-5bn-sales-boom-8781910.html

http://www.cityam.com/article/1377825573/westfield-london-plans-rent-rises-sales-continue-grow-malls

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/aug/28/high-street-sales-lifted-cbi-survey

Admittdily a bit London-cetnric. But the idea that all sales are going to the internet (rather than say 10-20% of it) is frankly ludicrous

[Bemusedmover]

You should probably tell that to all the shoppers:

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/revealed-oxford-streets-5bn-sales-boom-8781910.html

http://www.cityam.com/article/1377825573/westfield-london-plans-rent-rises-sales-continue-grow-malls

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/aug/28/high-street-sales-lifted-cbi-survey

Admittdily a bit London-cetnric. But the idea that all sales are going to the internet (rather than say 10-20% of it) is frankly ludicrous

Sorry but your point in no way alters my opinion and you are correct London IS different, however..........

I don`t see a lot of shopping bags being carried in your linked to photos

[Saving For a Space Ship]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/reinvent-the-high-street/10278141/Two-in-three-small-shops-on-the-brink-expert-Bill-Grimsey-warns.html

This is a touch worrying. I wonder if the risks turn to losses and who will take the hit? In my local area the larger retailers (except Supermarkets building town stores) are publicly stating they do not want town centre sites.

In my local town I do see a lot of smaller units un-let. A few have actually been re-let but I presume on lower terms because the type of business has changed to somewhat IMO 'experimental' / niche suggesting higher risk. Interesting though! At one specific site the department store retailer publicly said they would try to retail on the site for a year. After a year they have left.

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/sep/01/barbers-bookies-high-streets-shops

Guardian article on same retail report