As the government announces plans to inject money into town centres to stop them from becoming ghost towns, consumer affairs analysts claim the web can also drive in-store sales.
Ministers are planning to cut red tape on the high street in order to attract businesses to move into empty premises with more than 11 per cent of town centre shops currently empty across the UK.
Natasha-Rachel Smith, consumer affairs consultant at TopCashBack believes the government needs to invest in towns urgently to prevent the heart of communities from disappearing.
She said: “It is vital that the UK’s high streets are productive as a competitive environment in today’s retail sector. Although online will almost always offer the most attractive deals and savings, consumers will absolutely always need to access goods on their doorstep.
"This is particularly true for essential products and services, and on time-urgent occasions where waiting for a delivery or service appointment is obsolete for shoppers’ needs."
Smith would like to see more government investment for local retailers. She concluded: “Consumers will always be enticed by online bargains and money-saving tactics such as cash back, but households will continue to rely on the high street to be the heart and soul of their communities. If government investment continues it will inspire retailers to innovate and draw people into town centres.
"Bricks-and-mortar retailers shouldn’t regard online shopping as a foe, but instead work hand-in-hand with money-saving websites to drive footfall into their premises by the use of special promotions and printable discount vouchers.”
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