SCOTLAND'S high streets have been plunged into a fresh crisis as thousands of shoppers desert city centres due to bad weather and the ongoing recession.
The rise in online shopping is also being blamed for the dip in fortunes for retailers. Figures published today by the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) show the number of people visiting shopping areas dropped 8.2% between May and July – almost four times the fall across the UK as a whole.
In addition, more than one in 10 shopfronts in Scotland remains empty as the recession continues to bite, with high-street sites particularly vulnerable compared to out-of-town complexes and undercover shopping centres.
SRC economist Richard Lim said: "People are short of money. They are worried about jobs and not spending, which is hitting shoppers and shops. The fact town-centre shop vacancy rates are better than the UK average offers a bit of comfort, but Scotland still has one in 10 premises standing empty."
Apart from a Christmas boost in December, footfall has now been down in Scotland for 12 months in a row.
Opposition parties criticised the Scottish Government for failing to support retail businesses, but it hit back by saying it was working to strengthen the economy within constraints imposed on it by Westminster.
A Scottish Labour spokeswoman said: "This is more bad news and part of a worrying trend that shows why we need the Scottish economy firing on all cylinders. There is no doubt the UK Government's economic policy is failing, but the Scottish Government needs to do far more to stimulate growth and support struggling businesses through this double-dip recession."
Stuart Patrick, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, agreed it had been a difficult period for retailers as they struggle with dwindling footfall and a challenging economic backdrop.
He added: "The wet conditions this summer have undoubtedly had an effect on the high street."
A Scottish Government spokesman said: The Scottish Government and our enterprise agencies are working to strengthen the economy with the powers we currently have and our economic strategy is delivering results."
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