According to a report from the Local Data Company of the UK which regularly surveys retail locations across the country, there are now 235 empty department stores across the country with more to come following recent announcements of closures by Debenhams. One of the issues mentioned is business rates which hit department stores hard because of their locations and large amounts of floor space. The business rate is an element which can make the deciding difference between a viable and a non-viable store. Reduced margins, changing consumer habits and increased uncertainty have led to an average of 16 shops closing every day last year in the UK.

See full report by the Local Data Company