Vacant Shops fall across UK as new report shows optimism in independent retail sector
National independent business directory & marketplace, Shopli, believes shopping has changed for good as consumers are more focussed on their local communities, sustainability and supporting independent businesses and this trend is set to continue to grow in 2022. This optimism is being reflected in recent figures from the BRC-LDC Vacancy Monitor that shows the level of vacant shops is dropping across the UK bucking the trend of the last few years.
The report showed store vacancies across the UK were down to 14.4% in the final quarter of 2021 showing an improvement for the first time since before the pandemic showing renewed optimism in independent retail. Shopli helps thousands of independent retailers by offering a completely free platform to help them grow sales both locally and also to a national audience and believes that the government should be doing more to help revitalise the high street by updating the outdated business rates policies.
Lee Nathan, CEO of Shopli, and regional chairman for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) commented, “The pandemic has changed how the UK high street and how the public shop and the majority of shoppers are keen to support independent businesses and services. As a member of the FSB and the CEO of a business that helps thousands of independent retailers, I believe that the government should be putting plans in place to change archaic systems such as retail business rates to help revitalise the high street.
Modernising shopping in communities across the UK will allow retail outlets to offer customers a solution that works seamlessly with their online proposition offering a destination and experience that really entices shoppers back to the high street.”
There are over 250,000 independent retailers, hospitality, leisure & similar style businesses across the UK and along with many national brands, they play a vital role in keeping local high streets and centres thriving whilst helping attract shoppers and business to these communities.
Lee Nathan, added, “At Shopli we connect consumers with independent businesses and communities both locally and nationally and offer a completely free solution that will help local businesses sell to a national audience and attract more shoppers from their communities to discover and connect with them.“
Shopli’s ground-breaking solution allows shoppers to discover local businesses, shop and save nationally with thousands of independents, connect and chat to them directly, safe with the knowledge that every business adheres to Shopli’s code of conduct, guidelines, standards of practice and behaviour. The Shopli platform is completely free and utilises a cutting-edge website and app to connect consumers with independent businesses and communities across the UK.
