The resilient high street: Turning obstacles into opportunities for retail success
The statistics indicate that the market is evolving, not disappearing.
According to a report published in The Guardian, and based on data from the Centre for Retail Research, 13,479 retail stores closed in 2024. Independent retailers accounted for 84.1% of those closures, up from 74.5% the previous year.This focus indicates that there are structural issues tied to independent operations, not just a broad market downturn. Convenience stores and coffee shops are the only categories showing consistent growth with net openings, highlighting that success relies on adapting business models.
