There was a sharp rise in the number of shops closing on the UK's High Streets, shopping parades, and out-of-town shopping parks in 2022, according to the Centre for Retail Research (CRR). More than 17,000 sites shut up shop - the highest number for five years. Total closures were nearly 50% higher than in 2021, the researchers said. The number of retail jobs lost, in stores and online, also jumped as businesses closed or cut costs. More than 150,000 posts were closed, up 43% compared to the previous year. At the height of the pandemic some businesses were protected through government support and the furlough scheme, ... (full story)