Independents strike back
Mar 22 2010
Independent retailers are on the increase
Local retailers are filling the gap left on the high street by the closure of large chains, says a report.
The number of independent retailers rose by 5.6 per cent during the second half of last year compared to the first six months of 2009, according to research firm The Local Data Company.
Matthew Hopkinson, director of the company, says: ‘Independent traders (five or less outlets) have demonstrated great resilience during a tough economic climate. These times have also created the opportunity for independents to acquire units on good deals.’
Mike Riley, joint chief executive of property group Local Shopping REIT, says: ‘We are a nation of shopkeepers and time and again we see the entrepreneurial spirit of the British retailer working to overcome economic difficulties. A number of sweet shops have opened to take advantage of the demise of pick-n-mix from Woolworths and following the closure of Threshers, experienced managers have taken over [many of] those units.’
Some 12,000 more shops opened during the second half of 2009, of which 10,000 were independents. According to the research, independent butchers and fishmongers increased by 11.6 per cent.
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