Indie retailers doubt Liz Truss will help the high street
Posted on in Business News , Cycles News
New research from Ankorstore, an online B2B platform that connects brands and shops in Europe, has shown that independent retailers are relying on the support of local shoppers, rather than the government, to keep them afloat.
The research featured 4,000 respondents made up of 2,000 nationally representative UK consumers and 2,000 UK SME business owners in retail.
Whilst 69% of the latter felt optimistic that consumers would continue to support their shop, despite the cost-of-living crisis, fewer have faith that the government will positively support independent retailers and high streets (44%).
Gen Z independent retail owners are the most optimistic and hopeful that the new Prime Minister will have a positive impact when it comes to supporting local high streets and independent retailers, with 61% believing the new leader will have a positive impact.
This steadily decreases with age: 52% of 35-44s, 25% of 45-54s and just 17% of over 55s believe the same.
85% of independent retailers are also calling on the government to cut business rates to preserve British high streets, with that figure rising to 90% for those who only have physical stores.
86% of UK consumers have already noticed an increase in the number of empty shops on their local high streets, and three quarters agree that the government should provide more support for independent retailers and shops.
Tarun Gidoomal, UK General Manager at Ankorstore, comments: “Our research confirms the harsh reality that the majority of small businesses do not predict that they will survive the extraordinary pressures that they are currently facing.”
“As a business that champions and supports independent retailers all over Europe, we hope this research serves as a wakeup call to the UK government. Inaction is simply not an option at such a pivotal time for independents.”