“There were 6,700 applications for new retail developments in 2015, down from 7,360, according to commercial law firm EMW. They are down by nearly a half from the pre-recession peak of 11,900 in 2008.
The fall shows the continuing pressures on shopkeepers as consumers desert the high street in favour of online shopping with e-commerce companies. EMW said that despite traditional retailers increasingly focusing on and expanding their online services, many are often failing to compete effectively with online-only retailers, such as Asos and Boohoo.
It said the recent failures of traditional retailers BHS, Austin Reed, and convenience store chain My Local were partly caused by the continued success of online-only brands.”
East Devon Watch 