Vacancy Rate
Vacancy rate—measuring the percentage of unoccupied retail space in shopping centres, high streets, and retail hubs—is a crucial barometer of economic health and consumer confidence in the UK jewellery market. Rising vacancies can signal shifting footfall patterns, changing consumer behaviour (e.g., moving to online), and increased competition for physical stores, all of which directly impact location and expansion strategies for jewellery businesses. Jewellery Focus offers trade‑focused analysis of vacancy‑rate trends, drawing on commercial real-estate data, regional comparisons, and forecasting. We explore causes (from macroeconomic pressure to changing demographics), implications for retailers and suppliers, and proactive strategies such as pop-up shows, concession models, and hybrid retail formats. Our coverage empowers jewellers, brand managers, developers, and suppliers to adapt retail strategy, sourcing decisions, and investment planning in response to vacancy‑driven shifts in the jewellery retail landscape.
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Feb- 2015 -5 FebruaryEconomy
LDC: Empty shops show North-South divide
The North-South divide is clearer than ever with the South having one in ten shops lying empty while the North has one in five, according to the Local Data Company (LDC). LDC, which analyses over 3,000 town centres, shopping centres and retail parks, said that despite the deepening regional divide,…
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Jan- 2015 -12 JanuaryEconomy
‘Promising’ year ahead for shop vacancy rates
Britain’s shop vacancy rate dropped to 13.2% in December while the overall retail and leisure vacancy rate remained at 11.8%, according to the latest figures. Analysis of vacancy rates by occupation type by the Local Data Company showed that leisure vacancy in December was 7.8%, and all (Retail and Leisure)…
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Dec- 2014 -10 DecemberCurrent Affairs
Britain’s Shop Vacancy Rate remains at 13.3% in November
Britain’s shop vacancy rate has remained at 13.3% in November, according to The Local Data Company. Analysis of vacancy rates by occupation type shows that Shop vacancy in November is 13.3% (0.0%), Leisure vacancy was 7.8% (0.0%), and All (Retail & Leisure) vacancy rate was 11.8% (0.0%). Matthew Hopkinson, director…
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Nov- 2014 -17 NovemberEconomy
Shop vacancies rise for first time since Q1 2013
The average shop vacancy rate in town centres in the UK was 10.3% in October, up from July’s rate of 10.1%, and the first time the figure has risen since the first quarter of 2013. The British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) Footfall and Vacancies Monitor for October found footfall was 0.8%…
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Sep- 2014 -16 SeptemberEconomy
Shop vacancy rates improving but north vs south divide persists
Shop vacancy rates have seen an improvement in the first half of the year but a strong north/south divide remains, according to new research. A new report published by the Local Data Company (LDC) said H1 shop vacancy rates have shown marked improvement towards the end of the year from…
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9 SeptemberEditor's Blog
Don’t argue with the data…just wait for your slice
It is beginning to feel more like a job as a leader-writer for the Financial Times than a jewellery trade magazine, but there is just so much positive news out there it cannot go without comment. Yesterday the Birmingham Assay Office release the all-office hallmarking figures, showing a year-on-year rise yet again,…
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5 SeptemberEconomy
Britain’s shop vacancy rate falls to its lowest level since June 2010
Britain’s shop vacancy rate fell to 13.3% in August, down from 13.4% in July, its lowest level since June 2010. New research from the Local Data Company shows that the overall retail and leisure vacancy rate also decreased from 11.9% to 11.8%. Matthew Hopkinson, director at the Local Data Company,…
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Jul- 2014 -8 JulyEditor's Blog
Falling vacancy rates are yet another beam of light
Rather excitingly, this week brought the news that high street retail vacancy rates are at their lowest since June 2010 – right at the height of the recession. As I have said before on this blog (enough times on this blog to be accused of sounding like a broken record),…
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4 JulyRetailers
Shop vacancy rate remains at its lowest level since June 2010
Britain’s shop vacancy rate in June remained stable at its lowest level since June 2010, according to the latest figures. Data compiled by the Local Data Company found the vacancy rate stayed unmoved at 13.4% in June. The picture remained stable across both retail and leisure uses which is reflected…
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Apr- 2013 -4 AprilEvents
Independents’ Day and Independent Retailer Month unite
This year’s ‘Independents’ Day’ campaign has kicked-off with the news that it will be supported by the Independent Retailer Month.
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