TRADE NEWS FEBRUARY 2010 Retailers experience sales growth in February Online retailers to benefit from universal broadband Retailers face disproportionate utility costs Counterfeit goods seized in Norfolk BPF calls for public debate on CVAs NFRN quits JIG Tories reveal new supermarket planning laws NI independent fashion retailers folding Clothing retailers buck sales trend Isle of Man Tesco could 'impact' independent retailers Asda expansion threatens independents Scarborough's independent shops suffer rise in closure rate Small retailers 'not understanding shoppers' needs' Oxfordshire retailers come together to encourage local trade Scottish retailers left exposed to business rates UK retailers facing closure epidemic Computer chip counterfeiter prosecuted Village Shop of the Year named Family furniture retailer sees sales soar Counterfeit goods recycled Retailers receive grants to bolster security Inflation slow as retailers ignore VAT rise Uncertainty over economic policy Britons are biggest online shoppers   European visitors to The Wholesaler please click here   What’s New At The Wholesaler UK New Categories added recently Wholesale Fabric Tents and Camping Equipment Nautical and Marine Gifts Wholesale Golf Products Fireside Nostalgia, Nostalgic gifts, retro and vintage Wholesale Haberdashery Trade News Archive 2009  January   February   March   April   May   June   July   August   September   October   November   December Subscribe to our newsletter   Go to The Wholesaler UK Directory 17th February 2010 Scarborough's independent shops suffer rise in closure rate The number of vacant shops in Scarborough's town centre has increased six-fold since the summer of last year. That is according to research from the Local Data Company, which reveals that since July 2009 the town's shop closure rate has risen from 2.4 per cent to 14.6 per cent, according to Scarborough Evening News. The dramatic increase in empty shops represents a significant fall from grace for a town that had previously boasted the healthiest retail centre in the UK. Matthew Hopkinson, spokesman for the research company, said the town's unusual number of independent stores was the predominant reason for the rise. He told the news provider: "The critical thing about Scarborough is that 78 per cent of its shops are independent traders. That’s really unusual – the national average is around 60 per cent. "Many independent traders have been heavily squeezed by large national stores and the internet and their costs have increased massively." Some experts have also suggested that the increase in popularity of online shopping is having a detrimental effect on the UK's high streets.   © 2010 Comment on this news story   Trade News Archive 2008  December   November   October   September August   July   June   May   April   March   February   January