STORE investment levels among independent retailers have dropped, the Association of Convenience Stores has found.
Its Investment Tracker survey discovered that just 13% of independent retailers have plans to invest in their store over the coming year, the lowest level of planned investment in the independent sector since the survey began in 2012.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “There is a widening gap between stores that are having to cut costs in their business to stay afloat, and those that have the capital to be able to invest in measures like full store refits and new technology and services in store.”
He blamed increasing costs from the National Living Wage and pension auto-enrolment as well as uncertainty over business rates for the investment caution.
