Good neighbours

摘要

From large, purpose-built retail developments with avenues of carefully selected stores, to the independent garden centre with a local conservatory installer manning a stand in the car park, garden retailers of all shapes and sizes have been able to generate extra revenue - and footfall - by leasing site space to complementary retailers. This year more than ever, strong sales in garden centres - up 10 per cent for the year to the end of last month - have contrasted with listless performance on the high street, where vacancy rates over the past year have averaged 12 per cent and new store openings have dropped by 50 per cent.