Chain-stores vs Independent Retailers- The Christmas backlash



Sales could be a more permanent feature of the high-street if the economy continues to deteriorate

This Christmas the economy has been hitting the high street hard.

Shoppers are expected to tighten their purse strings amid fears of another looming recession.

The high street has suffered major loses in recent weeks, following the announcement that the Peacocks chain, which also owns Bonmarche and The Fragrance Shop, has gone in to administration.

Chain-store favourites such as HMV and Debenhams have also reported significant downturns in their profits, following sales figures from the week before Christmas.

Critics fear that we could be about to witness the 'death' of the traditional high street as we know it, as shoppers turn to the Internet for their Christmas shopping.

But should we be more concerned for our small, local independent retailers as more and more shop units become vacant?

We talked to two independent shops in Canterbury to see how they have coped over Christmas.