West Midlands
This coverage examines retail developments across the West Midlands, focusing on store openings and closures, shopping centre activity, high street performance, and consumer behaviour shifts. Reporting includes updates on major hubs like Birmingham, Coventry, and Wolverhampton, as well as regeneration projects and local retail investment. The content is tailored for retail professionals overseeing regional estate strategy, operations, and market expansion.
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Oct- 2022 -28 OctoberHigh Street
Store vacancy rate falls but remains below pre-pandemic levels
In the third quarter of 2022, the overall GB vacancy rate decreased to 13.9%, a 0.1% rise from Q2 and 0.6% better than the same period last year, according to the latest monitor from the BRC and Local Data Company. This was the fourth consecutive quarter of falling vacancy rates.…
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25 OctoberHigh Street
Footfall falls 2.3% amid falling incomes and political uncertainty
Footfall across UK retail destinations declined by -2.3% last week from the week before, with drops in all three key destination types – -3.3% in high streets, -1.5% in retail parks and -0.7% in shopping centres, according to the latest data from Springboard. Springboard said this indicates “consumer nervousness” as…
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13 OctoberNews
Frasers eyes new Midlands global HQ
Sports Direct could quit its current Derbyshire headquarters amid plans from its parent company Frasers to create a new global HQ in the West Midlands, according to the BBC. The Shirebrook site was sold in 2019 but Sports Direct’s lease runs to 2034. The group, which also runs Flannels and…
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Aug- 2022 -30 AugustHigh Street
Store closures drop to lowest rate in seven years
Store closures have stabilised to the lowest rate in over seven years, with 6,146 store closures in H1 2022 (-30%) year-on-year from multiple retail operators, compared to 3,888 openings (+11%). According to PwC’s latest Store Openings and Closures report for H1 2022, there were 34 closures, 21 openings, and a…
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Jul- 2022 -1 JulyEconomy
UK SMEs hit by hiring woes despite ‘record’ wage rise
SMEs across the UK are “facing more woes” as they struggle to fill vacancies despite a strong 14.3% increase in year-on-year sales growth and a “record” 5% rise in wages, according to new data from Xero. It found that SMEs are “struggling to compete with big business” when it comes…
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Sep- 2021 -16 SeptemberSupermarkets
Lidl reveals plan to reduce in-store plastic
Lidl has announced a series of new initiatives as part of its REset Plastic strategy, in order to eliminate plastic waste and support the continued reduction and recyclability of plastics in its stores. The discounter has confirmed plans to replace all single use fruit and vegetable plastic bags with compostable…
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Apr- 2021 -12 AprilShopping Centres
McArthurGlen opens £160m designer outlet destination
McArthurGlen has announced the opening of a new £160m designer outlet fashion destination in the West Midlands. The centre marks McArthurGlen’s seventh British designer outlet, joining its other destinations in Ashford, Bridgend, Cheshire Oaks, East Midlands, Swindon and York, and it is the group’s 26th across Europe and in Canada.…
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Jul- 2020 -9 JulyCoronavirus
West Midlands man arrested on suspicion of £495,000 furlough fraud
A West Midlands man has been arrested as part of an HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) investigation into a suspected £495,000 Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) fraud. HMRC officers executed a search warrant on 8 July 2020 in the Solihull area and arrested the 57-year-old. This is the first arrest…
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May- 2020 -18 MayCoronavirus
Central England Co-op reports rise in ‘violent’ threats to staff during lockdown
Central England Co-op has reported a rise in “violent” offences being carried out against its staff amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The company reported problems which include verbal abuse and threats, alongside customers threatening to cough and spit on employees. Figures for the past four weeks have revealed an increase in…
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Apr- 2019 -11 AprilClothing & Shoes
World’s largest Primark opens in Birmingham
Primark has opened the biggest store in its worldwide portfolio, in Birmingham. The new 161,000 square foot store will be spread across five floors and will feature a Disney cafe, two restaurants, a barber shop and a beauty studio. For the first time, the new Primark will feature a homeware…
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