Consumers opting to buy online and from retail estates ‘more convenient’ for car users has resulted in catastrophic job losses on British high streets that are riddled with crime and vacancies
15:28, 01 Jan 2025Updated 16:15, 01 Jan 2025
Body Shop went into administration in 2024(Image: PA)
The demise of the British high street is continuing at unprecedented pace as new data shows almost 170,000 retail jobs were cut last year. Consumers choosing to shop online and at industrial estates “more convenient” for car users have long spelled the end for the once thriving town centres up and down the UK.
The job losses are the highest faced by the sector since 2020 – when Covid-19 measures forced 200,000 workers out of the retail industry. And the 169,000 figure is 41% higher than the year previous in 2023.
One third of the losses, or 55,914 jobs, in 2024 were due to 38 major brands collapsing into administration. Lloyds Pharmacy, Homebase, The Body Shop, Carpetright, and Ted Baker were some of the big high street beasts forced to bring down their shutters for a final time.
Town centres are blighted with vacant units(Image: PA)
The remainder of the losses were shed due larger companies downsizing and cutting costs or smaller independent shops shutting down all together.
Joshua Bamfield, director of the Centre for Retail Research, commented on the situation, saying: “The comparatively low figures for 2023 now look like an anomaly, a pause for breath by many retailers after lockdowns if you like.
Huge brands have collapsed in the last year(Image: Getty Images)
“The problems of changed customer shopping habits, inflation, rising energy costs, rents and business rates have continued and forced many retailers to cut back even more strongly in 2024.”
Alex Probyn, president of property tax at real estate adviser Altus Group, has voiced concerns: “The cut in the business rates discount from April 1 will disproportionately affect independent retailers who will see their bills rise on average by 140% adding an extra £5,024 for the average shop.”
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