Local retailers see footfall slide
ONE in six independent retailers fear they will collapse into administration in 2013 unless sales show signs of improving, according to a new study published yesterday.
As the battle to retain footfall on the high street continues and family budgets remain squeezed, 16 per cent of small retail businesses feared they were unlikely to survive, the British Independent Retailers Association said.
Out of 500 firms surveyed, 65 per cent said footfall has fallen in the past year or remained static, with convincing customers to shop locally highlighted as one of the main challenges for the industry.