Fewer Town Centre Shops Closing Their Doors:

[Sancho Panza]

Sky News 24/9/13

'Town centre shops shut at an average of 18 a day during the first half of 2013, reflecting continuing economic and evolving social pressures on the high street.

However, the closure rate fell from more than 20 during the same period last year, according to the report from accountants PwC compiled by the Local Data Company (LDC).

It highlights the continuing change in the make-up of the high street - with a declining number of women's fashion stores and camera shops as consumers' demands change.

Charity shops, betting shops and cheque cashing outlets picked up the slack, the study suggested.

Video and photography outlets - following the insolvencies of Blockbuster and Jessops respectively - suffered most, while women's fashion was hit by intense competition from major chains and online offerings.

The study of 500 UK town centres showed 3,366 outlets closed in the six-month period, compared with 3,157 openings, a net reduction of 209 shops.

This was an improvement on the net reduction of 953 over the first half of last year.

Coffee shops and hearing aid outlets were among those increasing, the research showed, as were convenience stores as large supermarket groups move into the sector to bolster their market share.

Mike Jervis, insolvency partner and retail specialist at PwC, said: "Upticks in areas such as cheque cashing and pawnbroker reflect a society where a sizeable part of the population is forced to turn to these types of borrowing for basic needs."

Matthew Hopkinson, director of the LDC, added: "The good news is that the significant decline in chain retailer numbers in town centres in 2012 is slowing down.

"That said, closer examination of the data shows the significant ongoing decline of traditional shops, with food, beverage and entertainment taking their place.

"The pressure from online competitors, supermarkets and out-of-town providers will only increase," he warned.'

On the surface the numbers aren't too bad but one would presume that losing women's fashion shops and gaining pawnbrokers results in a different type of footfall.

It would be interesting to know any changes in terms of business rate receipts.

Edited September 24, 2013 by Sancho Panza

[Wurzel Of Highbridge]

Sky News 24/9/13

'Town centre shops shut at an average of 18 a day during the first half of 2013, reflecting continuing economic and evolving social pressures on the high street.

However, the closure rate fell from more than 20 during the same period last year, according to the report from accountants PwC compiled by the Local Data Company (LDC).

It highlights the continuing change in the make-up of the high street - with a declining number of women's fashion stores and camera shops as consumers' demands change.

Charity shops, betting shops and cheque cashing outlets picked up the slack, the study suggested.

Video and photography outlets - following the insolvencies of Blockbuster and Jessops respectively - suffered most, while women's fashion was hit by intense competition from major chains and online offerings.

The study of 500 UK town centres showed 3,366 outlets closed in the six-month period, compared with 3,157 openings, a net reduction of 209 shops.

This was an improvement on the net reduction of 953 over the first half of last year.

Coffee shops and hearing aid outlets were among those increasing, the research showed, as were convenience stores as large supermarket groups move into the sector to bolster their market share.

Mike Jervis, insolvency partner and retail specialist at PwC, said: "Upticks in areas such as cheque cashing and pawnbroker reflect a society where a sizeable part of the population is forced to turn to these types of borrowing for basic needs."

Matthew Hopkinson, director of the LDC, added: "The good news is that the significant decline in chain retailer numbers in town centres in 2012 is slowing down.

"That said, closer examination of the data shows the significant ongoing decline of traditional shops, with food, beverage and entertainment taking their place.

"The pressure from online competitors, supermarkets and out-of-town providers will only increase," he warned.'

On the surface the numbers aren't too bad but one would presume that losing women's fashion shops and gaining pawnbrokers results in a different type of footfall.

It would be interesting to know any changes in terms of business rate receipts.

I wouldn't want to be a niche retailer these days,particualrly if you lack a significant online presence.

I am not sure which one is better really:

Pushing debt/credit onto people to buy every days stuff.

Pushing cheap Indian and Chinese clothes onto peoples credit cards.

I suppose the credit cards have been maxed out hence the closing of clothes shops and the opening of the money changers.

[@contradevian]

Charity shops are great for clothes. Picked up some G-Star jeans in Oxfam the other day. A bit racy for me!

[TheCountOfNowhere]

Shops still closing despite £350B crazy money printing and £80 Billion FLS government vote buying scheme.

They must know by now the game is up. I wonder how they are preparing for the inevitable.

Will we see Gordon's vision of the army marching on it's own people ?

Edited September 24, 2013 by TheCountOfNowhere

[THE BALD MAN]

Sky News 24/9/13

'Town centre shops shut at an average of 18 a day during the first half of 2013, reflecting continuing economic and evolving social pressures on the high street.

However, the closure rate fell from more than 20 during the same period last year, according to the report from accountants PwC compiled by the Local Data Company (LDC).

It highlights the continuing change in the make-up of the high street - with a declining number of women's fashion stores and camera shops as consumers' demands change.

Charity shops, betting shops and cheque cashing outlets picked up the slack, the study suggested.

Video and photography outlets - following the insolvencies of Blockbuster and Jessops respectively - suffered most, while women's fashion was hit by intense competition from major chains and online offerings.

The study of 500 UK town centres showed 3,366 outlets closed in the six-month period, compared with 3,157 openings, a net reduction of 209 shops.

This was an improvement on the net reduction of 953 over the first half of last year.

Coffee shops and hearing aid outlets were among those increasing, the research showed, as were convenience stores as large supermarket groups move into the sector to bolster their market share.

Mike Jervis, insolvency partner and retail specialist at PwC, said: "Upticks in areas such as cheque cashing and pawnbroker reflect a society where a sizeable part of the population is forced to turn to these types of borrowing for basic needs."

Matthew Hopkinson, director of the LDC, added: "The good news is that the significant decline in chain retailer numbers in town centres in 2012 is slowing down.

"That said, closer examination of the data shows the significant ongoing decline of traditional shops, with food, beverage and entertainment taking their place.

"The pressure from online competitors, supermarkets and out-of-town providers will only increase," he warned.'

On the surface the numbers aren't too bad but one would presume that losing women's fashion shops and gaining pawnbrokers results in a different type of footfall.

It would be interesting to know any changes in terms of business rate receipts.

I agree with Hopkinson there is a structural change here not only the recession. There is a contraction in the demand for high street shops which is being the driven by online and out of town one stop shopping. The independents are being squeezed more than the large chains .(although I am Surprised betting shops are still popular). Afraid shops may be going the same way as film for cameras, letter posting, book printing and blackberries.

[GloomMonger]

I'm in Alicante for 2 weeks and love the free parking you get here. Would be great for the uk government to trial a nationwide free parking scheme. Would be good for the high street and would make it look like they were actually doing something for a change.

[The Masked Tulip]

Aren't there less shops closing now simply because so many have already closed?

There are two little arcades in Swansea. For decades they were goldmines for the independent shops in them and trying to get hold of a shop lease on one took years. Rumour was that the leases exchanged hands for loads of money.

In the past year one shop after another has closed in those two arcades. I suspect at least half are now empty.

[Errol]

Aren't there less shops closing now simply because so many have already closed?

This. The weak ones have gone now. As things get worse more and more will fail.

[koala_bear]

Aren't there less shops closing now simply because so many have already closed?

There is certainly an element of that going on!

Fewer closures needed to maintain the rate of decline.

Edited September 24, 2013 by koala_bear

[THE BALD MAN]

I'm in Alicante for 2 weeks and love the free parking you get here. Would be great for the uk government to trial a nationwide free parking scheme. Would be good for the high street and would make it look like they were actually doing something for a change.

No chance here they have not realised the motorist has not got bottomless pockets to pay for armies of local authority bureaucrats with gold plated pensions

[dkujsbap]

Completely free parking is not the answer as people would park next to the station meaning nobody actually wanting to use the shops can.

1 hour free is the way to go.

[okaycuckoo]

I agree with Hopkinson there is a structural change here not only the recession. There is a contraction in the demand for high street shops which is being the driven by online and out of town one stop shopping. The independents are being squeezed more than the large chains .(although I am Surprised betting shops are still popular). Afraid shops may be going the same way as film for cameras, letter posting, book printing and blackberries.

Yet there's still a push on to increase shopping mall capacity.

[Ash4781]

I saw today that ebay announced a trial deal with Argos on collection points.

Edited September 24, 2013 by Ash4781

[Mrs Bear]

Sky News 24/9/13

'Town centre shops shut at an average of 18 a day during the first half of 2013, reflecting continuing economic and evolving social pressures on the high street.

However, the closure rate fell from more than 20 during the same period last year, according to the report from accountants PwC compiled by the Local Data Company (LDC).

It highlights the continuing change in the make-up of the high street - with a declining number of women's fashion stores and camera shops as consumers' demands change.

Charity shops, betting shops and cheque cashing outlets picked up the slack, the study suggested.

Video and photography outlets - following the insolvencies of Blockbuster and Jessops respectively - suffered most, while women's fashion was hit by intense competition from major chains and online offerings.

The study of 500 UK town centres showed 3,366 outlets closed in the six-month period, compared with 3,157 openings, a net reduction of 209 shops.

This was an improvement on the net reduction of 953 over the first half of last year.

Coffee shops and hearing aid outlets were among those increasing, the research showed, as were convenience stores as large supermarket groups move into the sector to bolster their market share.

Mike Jervis, insolvency partner and retail specialist at PwC, said: "Upticks in areas such as cheque cashing and pawnbroker reflect a society where a sizeable part of the population is forced to turn to these types of borrowing for basic needs."

Matthew Hopkinson, director of the LDC, added: "The good news is that the significant decline in chain retailer numbers in town centres in 2012 is slowing down.

"That said, closer examination of the data shows the significant ongoing decline of traditional shops, with food, beverage and entertainment taking their place.

"The pressure from online competitors, supermarkets and out-of-town providers will only increase," he warned.'

On the surface the numbers aren't too bad but one would presume that losing women's fashion shops and gaining pawnbrokers results in a different type of footfall.

It would be interesting to know any changes in terms of business rate receipts.

What I notice lately is masses of bookies in the less smart areas of SW London. There has been an explosion of them.

[Wurzel Of Highbridge]

Not good for post office shares then?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/10330111/eBay-and-Argos-trial-click-and-collect-service.html

Shoppers on Britain's high streets will be able to collect goods bought on eBay at Argos stores after the two companies agreed an unprecedented partnership deal.

At least 50 merchants selling products on eBay will be involved in a six-month trial with 150 Argos stores around the country.

Click-and-collect is one of the fastest growing parts of the UK retail industry and already accounts for a third of Argos sales.

The service allows customers to collect products ordered on the internet at a high street store rather than be delivered to their home. It is popular with retailers because it is cheaper than home delivery and encourages consumers to visit their stores.

Online retailers such as eBay and rival Amazon already offer click-and-collect services through pick-up points and lockers at newsagents across the country.

However, this is the first time in the UK that an online retailer has partnered with a major high street name such as Argos, which has more than 700 stores.

Shame they don't trial it here in ROI, as it would be much welcomed. At the moment I used Parcel Motel to get free UK delievery forwarded to EIRE.

[grey shark]

What I notice lately is masses of bookies in the less smart areas of SW London. There has been an explosion of them.

Bookies have changed , the daily racing , football betting is just a side show now for many of these shops even more so in sh1t areas , half their profits come from FOBT's {fixed odds betting terminals} these are roulette , casino type machines that 1,000's are addicted too especially low life , immigrants and those from the lower social classes , crime rises in these areas as the addicts 'need' more funds to pump into the machines ........

[Wurzel Of Highbridge]

Bookies have changed , the daily racing , football betting is just a side show now for many of these shops even more so in sh1t areas , half their profits come from FOBT's {fixed odds betting terminals} these are roulette , casino type machines that 1,000's are addicted too especially low life , immigrants and those from the lower social classes , crime rises in these areas as the addicts 'need' more funds to pump into the machines ........

Still, I don't know why people just don't play on the online casinos instead?

You cant beat the good old arcades of the late 80's 5p/20p play with £3/£6 Jackpot in tokens if you were lucky. Once such arcade still exists today in Gravesend http://www.mrpsclassicamusements.co.uk/The-Machines.html

[Saving For a Space Ship]

Not good for post office shares then?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/10330111/eBay-and-Argos-trial-click-and-collect-service.html

Shame they don't trial it here in ROI, as it would be much welcomed. At the moment I used Parcel Motel to get free UK delievery forwarded to EIRE.

Ebay sellers are screaming again after recent changes to the site

Re: Sales dropped by 75% and listing visibility dropped

http://community.ebay.co.uk/t5/Business-Seller-Board/Sales-dropped-by-75-and-listing-visibility-dropped/td-p/1991890

[Sancho Panza]

Ebay sellers are screaming again after recent changes to the site

Re: Sales dropped by 75% and listing visibility dropped

http://community.ebay.co.uk/t5/Business-Seller-Board/Sales-dropped-by-75-and-listing-visibility-dropped/td-p/1991890

Can you explain tos oemone who's not a user what changes they have made and the significance of them please?

[SNACR]

Can you explain tos oemone who's not a user what changes they have made and the significance of them please?

I can put ebay selling in a nutshell though. Basically, if you're the cheapest on there for a product there's demand for you'll sell stuff. If you're a penny dearer you won't. What's really behind most of the issues is that. from what I can see, the majority of sellers buy the same products from the same small pool of suppliers and ship it by the same carriers. None of them have any real way they add value or can genuinely deliver it to customers.

You can potentially sell 10,000 units of a product on ebay, that there's currently demand for. However, that's chicken feed relative to what a national retail chain can shift on a similar deal. This sort of calls into question the 'everything's gone to the internet' meme as, I think I'm right in saying, ebay is the most visited ecommerce site in the UK and the sort of maximum sales you can do on there, effectively selling to the whole country, aren't all that. You can certainly do more off your own website but it's a less reliable yardstick as realistically you're bastardising instore sales most likely.

[Austin Allegro]

Via work I received a press release from a property developer somewhere in the Home Counties who had hit upon the revolutionary idea of lowering rents on his pwopperties to keep shops in business! Presumably the penny finally dropped that some rent is better than no rent. Who woulda thunk it?!

Now all we need is for councils to stop grasping via business rates and parking fees, and there's a future for small shops offering goods and services not easily available online.