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20 Aug 2025

ACT parent company Bira has expressed serious concern following today's announcement that UK inflation rose to 3.8% in July, higher than the expected 3.7% and marking the tenth consecutive month...

20 Aug 2025

Cycling and active living charity Sustrans has claimed there is strong evidence that a lack of infrastructure is the biggest barrier to getting more people on bikes in Northern Ireland.

14 Aug 2025

The global bike industry remains under pressure as Shimano, Giant and Canyon all report weaker profits and subdued outlooks for 2025.

13 Aug 2025

The ACT is set to be in attendance at the inaugural Cycling Industry News Live (CIN Live) trade show, which is set to bring together industry-wide education, market insight and product showcases...

12 Aug 2025

Britain's high street crisis has deepened dramatically with nearly half of independent retailers, including many in the independent cycling retail sector, reporting sales have crashed compared...

11 Aug 2025

ACT parent company Bira has condemned the Government's inaction over the "de minimis" import loophole following a Sky News investigation revealing £5.9 billion worth of cheap imports...

7 Aug 2025

Bira has warned that criminals are undermining legitimate retailers as trading standards services collapse, following a new Which? investigation.

1 Aug 2025

A number of ACT members and partners have been named among the final nominees for the 2025 BikeBiz Awards, which celebrate excellence across the UK cycle industry.

30 Jul 2025

A former student of South Africa’s Torq Zone Academy has taken a major step forward in cycling mechanic training after completing the prestigious UCI Level 3 Mechanics Course in Aigle,...

23 Jul 2025

A leading cycle traders association has backed the government's move to protect consumers from dangerous products sold through online marketplaces, following Royal Assent of the Product...

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Indie retail sector growing as more chains face closures

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News , Creative News, Outdoor News

As multiple stores like New Look, Maplin and Toys ‘R' Us close, a study by OnBuy.com has found that this has led to a rapid increase in the number of independent retailers.

The study has found that independent store openings have grown in all but two regions of the UK as chains continue to face a general decline.

The North West, West Midlands and Scotland had the highest rate of independent store openings in UK in 2017 - with 230, 194 and 114 independent openings respectively. The only regions to have not experienced growth in independent store openings were the East and South West, which recorded 19 and 29 closures respectively.

In comparison, according to the study multiple stores (with more than five stores nationally) saw closures in every region, except Yorkshire.

The study found that barbers, beauty salons, cafes and tearooms, convenience stores and tobacconists/vaping shops are succeeding in the current climate, whilst pubs, women's clothing, newsagents, bookmakers and shoe shops are suffering.

onBuy store closures map

https://www.onbuy.com/gb/ 

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