Midlands Retail Outlook

The West Midlands has one of the worst 'shop vacancy rates' in the country, according to new figures published today.

As well as shops standing empty fewer people made their way to town and city centres to do their shopping.

• Business
• Wolverhampton
• British Retail Consortium

New figures out today show one in ten shops in the East Midlands lies empty, as shoppers continue to desert the High Street.

People's reluctance to go out and spend is hitting retailers hard and the recent wet weather hasn't helped.

However our region isn't suffering as badly as other parts of the country and Derbyshire town is fighting to get its shoppers back with an online campaign.

• Business
• Derbyshire
• British Retail Consortium

Richard Dodd from the British Retail Consortium says that shopper numbers are down considerably all over the UK.

He says it's a reflection of short term difficulties and recent bad weather.

Shop vacancy figures, however, are still considerably high.

• Business
• British Retail Consortium
• retail figures