Retail shops

Pre-Brexit uncertainty led to a sharp drop in retail and leisure property moves, according to new figures.

Applications for the development of new retail stores fell nine per cent in the past year, from 7,360 to 6,700.

Footfall in the UK continued to decline in 2016, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

Britain’s shop vacancy rates have remained at their lowest levels since January 2010, at 12.5 per cent.

The number of independent shops opening in the UK dropped to one a week last year, down from 11 a day six years…

The number of empty shops in the UK in January hit its lowest level since 2009 at 12.5 per cent.

Shop vacancy rates have dropped for the fourth consecutive month.

Retailers have taken a hit following Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Half of UK shoppers prefer to shop in-store than online at Christmas.