Press Release

FSB warns shoppers that small shops may not be around next Christmas

10th December 2007

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is warning that many small shops may not be around next Christmas.  The warning comes as more and more supermarkets and multiple-retailers are setting up. 

One such example is the Cheshire town of Macclesfield which is spending over £200 million to bring in the big players, which will all be sited away from the traditional high street.  The result is that many small independents are being forced out.  Free parking at supermarkets and below-cost selling puts small businesses at a competitive disadvantage. 

With just fourteen days of Christmas shopping left the FSB, together with Friends of the Earth is urging shoppers to avoid out of town shopping centres and to hit their local high street instead.  Avoiding the out-of-town shopping centres saves on carbon emissions generated from longer car journeys and will also allow shoppers to enjoy better personal service and wider choice.  The local economy will also be protected so that a thriving high street is still able to offer these amenities and jobs for local people in the long-term.

As well as cutting car journeys, small shops help the environment by stocking local produce and using less packaging than the big supermarkets. Supporting them is a simple way to help make our local communities more sustainable.

John Wright, FSB National Chairman, said:

“The decline of our high streets should be given urgent attention. If we want our independent shops to be around next Christmas we have to support them. They offer the wealth of variety and originality that the big faceless shopping centres cannot match. 

“Shopping locally also cuts carbon emissions and helps to create sustainable communities for the future. 

Richard Hines, Real Food campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:

“The big supermarkets are squeezing independent retailers out of business all year round so it’s vital that we support local shops this Christmas. If we shop local first we can help our high streets to thrive, as well as benefitting the environment. And once you’ve recovered from the Christmas festivities, why not make local shopping a new year’s resolution for 2008?”