New data from PwC and the Local Data Company shows net store numbers in the UK plunged during the first half of this year.

Net store decline in H12016, by region

Net store decline in H12016, by region

Between January and June 2016, just 2,153 new stores opened across the country – the lowest first-half total since 2011 – while 2,656 shops closed their doors for the final time.

Further analysis of the data reveals that Greater London was the worst effected region, with a net decline of 164 shops. Some 700 stores closed in the area, while 536 opened. 

The fall is more than double the decrease registered in the first half of 2015, when there was a net decline of 63 stores.

The Northeast and east of England fared best, recording net declines of just five and eight stores respectively.  

Store openings and closures, by region

Net store decline, H12016
 Openings, H12016Closures, H12016Net change, H12015Net change, H12016

East Midlands

125

146

-37

-21

East Of England

190

198

-57

-8

Greater London

536

700

-63

-164

North East

100

105

-21

-5

North West

144

179

-65

-35

Scotland

116

203

-26

-87

South East

355

445

-22

-90

South West

214

224

-22

-10

Wales

51

69

-23

-18

West Midlands

144

189

-65

-45

Yorkshire and the Humber

178

198

-36

-20

Total

2,153

2,656

-437

-503

(Multiple retailers in the top 500 UK town centres)

Source: Local Data Company

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