Consumers Blame The Internet For High Street Demise - But Do They Care?

Almost half of consumers blame the internet for the demise of the high street - well above the number that blame the proliferation of out of town shopping centres and retail parks.

In a survey by brand consultants Live & Breathe, 48 per cent of people said the increase of shopping on the internet was to blame while 32 per cent blamed out of town shopping. A whopping 44 per cent said parking was difficult and too expensive, 32 per cent said it was the wrong sort of shops - perhaps reflecting the demise of traditional retailing and the rise of betting shops, money shops and charity shops.

A total of 43 per cent said they 'cared a lot' about the decline of the high street while 30 per cent were moved to say they cared 'a little'. Put another way, however, more than half only care a little bit, not at all or don't seem to have an opinion either way.

It also reported that 55 per cent of people said they buy things from the high street whereas for many others its was more of a social experience or somewhere to pass the time. A third said they eat out there, 28 per cent said they window shop and a similar number said they go there to 'get some fresh air'.