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Shoppers shunning the high street Shoppers shunning the high street
(about 21 hours later)
Three quarters of Scottish shoppers surveyed are shunning traditional town centres in favour of out-of-town supermarkets, a new report has said.Three quarters of Scottish shoppers surveyed are shunning traditional town centres in favour of out-of-town supermarkets, a new report has said.
The Federation of Small Businesses survey has been published ahead of the interim findings of a Competition Commission inquiry into the industry.The Federation of Small Businesses survey has been published ahead of the interim findings of a Competition Commission inquiry into the industry.
The commission has been examining the way the big supermarkets are operating.The commission has been examining the way the big supermarkets are operating.
More than 70% of shoppers in Alloa, Dumfries and Dingwall said they now shop less on the high street.More than 70% of shoppers in Alloa, Dumfries and Dingwall said they now shop less on the high street.
The FSB Scotland survey, which was looking at the effect of recent supermarket developments on three traditional town centre retailers, also found 93% of retailers in Dumfries and Dingwall said they had been negatively affected by new developments.The FSB Scotland survey, which was looking at the effect of recent supermarket developments on three traditional town centre retailers, also found 93% of retailers in Dumfries and Dingwall said they had been negatively affected by new developments.
Councils need to start commissioning their own independent health checks Andy WilloxFSB ScotlandCouncils need to start commissioning their own independent health checks Andy WilloxFSB Scotland
According to FSB Scotland the result had been an increasing number of unit vacancies in the town centre and the slashing of shop staff numbers.According to FSB Scotland the result had been an increasing number of unit vacancies in the town centre and the slashing of shop staff numbers.
The report lists a series of recommendations, including the regular monitoring of the "health" of the town centre and the establishment of a town centre management or action group.The report lists a series of recommendations, including the regular monitoring of the "health" of the town centre and the establishment of a town centre management or action group.
The group said town centre users and retailer surveys should also be carried out to identify areas of potential improvement or need for future action.The group said town centre users and retailer surveys should also be carried out to identify areas of potential improvement or need for future action.
Andy Willox, FSB Scotland's policy convener, said: "As this research shows councils need to start commissioning their own independent health checks and retail impact assessments of what impact out-of-town supermarkets will have on existing businesses if they are to have any chance in stemming the decline of our high streets."Andy Willox, FSB Scotland's policy convener, said: "As this research shows councils need to start commissioning their own independent health checks and retail impact assessments of what impact out-of-town supermarkets will have on existing businesses if they are to have any chance in stemming the decline of our high streets."
In Dumfries, 67% of retailers surveyed saw a decline in businessIn Dumfries, 67% of retailers surveyed saw a decline in business
The survey found 44% of retailers in Dingwall and 67% in both Alloa and Dumfries experienced a decline in business since the opening of a local Tesco store.The survey found 44% of retailers in Dingwall and 67% in both Alloa and Dumfries experienced a decline in business since the opening of a local Tesco store.
As a result, 53% of retailers in Dumfries and 38% in Alloa had reduced their staff.As a result, 53% of retailers in Dumfries and 38% in Alloa had reduced their staff.
However, the findings were disputed by Clackmannanshire Council, which said it had evidence that the arrival of Tesco and Asda in the county's town centres had not changed shopping habits "to any great degree".
Almost half of shoppers surveyed in Dumfries (43%) said their shopping habits had changed, with 78% shopping less in the town centre.Almost half of shoppers surveyed in Dumfries (43%) said their shopping habits had changed, with 78% shopping less in the town centre.
In Dingwall, 73% said they would shop less in the town centre while in Alloa the figure rose to 75%.In Dingwall, 73% said they would shop less in the town centre while in Alloa the figure rose to 75%.
In each case study, up to 100 shoppers and 50 local retailers were surveyed from September to October.In each case study, up to 100 shoppers and 50 local retailers were surveyed from September to October.
Retail structureRetail structure
The report concluded: "The findings of this study offer support to the broad view that large supermarket developments impact adversely on the retail structure of the traditional town centre."The report concluded: "The findings of this study offer support to the broad view that large supermarket developments impact adversely on the retail structure of the traditional town centre."
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) referred the supply of groceries by retailers in the UK to the Competition Commission for investigation last May.The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) referred the supply of groceries by retailers in the UK to the Competition Commission for investigation last May.
The market dominance of supermarkets Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons is being examined for the third time in seven years.The market dominance of supermarkets Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons is being examined for the third time in seven years.
The commission's full report on its findings is due in November.The commission's full report on its findings is due in November.