Stores’ biggest slump in six years

SCOTLAND’S town centres are in crisis after recording the biggest October slump in shopper numbers in six years.

Figures show that, on average, footfall in shops dropped by more than 3 per cent last month, the sixth consecutive month of decline and the largest fall for October since 011.

In major cities, customer numbers fell 4.9 per cent, the sharpest decline since April 016.

The Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) figures also showed there are now more empty shops north of the Border than the UK average, with store vacancy numbers rocketing to 10.5 per cent over the same period compared to the 9.3 per cent national average.

SRC director David Lonsdale said: ‘This is a somewhat dreary set of results. Scotland’s shop vacancy rate has spiked and pierced 10 per cent for the first time in over two-and-a-half years, while shopper footfall flagged once again and fell for a sixth consecutive month.

‘Footfall shrivelled across all three shopping destinations – high streets, shopping centres and retail parks.’

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘The Scottish Government and the Scottish Retail Consortium are now working together to develop a retail strategy.

‘We are doing everything within our powers to support our economy.’