Chain stores are closing at their slowest rate for eight years, new research shows.
A total of 11,530 outlets shut across Britain in 2022 an average of 32 a day.
It's a big improvement compared with the previous three years, according to data compiled for accountancy firm PwC.
Banks saw the most closures, while takeaways, convenience stores and amusement arcades performed best.
The snapshot, conducted twice a year, covers more than 3,500 locations and shows the changing landscape of high streets, retail parks and shopping centres.
The data tracks not only which chains have closed stores, but also how many have been opened.
Net loss
There are still far more closures than openings. That resulted in a net loss of 10 outlets a day in 2022.
The BBC says openings are heading in the right direction, but are still well below pre-pandemic levels.
Meanwhile, Sainsbury's is planning to close two Argos sites over the next three years in a move that will impact more than 1,400 jobs.
The supermarket giant aims to shut its Argos warehouse in Basildon, Essex, and a depot in Heywood, Greater Manchester, by 2026.
Both Sainsbury's staff and those who work for an outsourced contractor will be affected.
The firm is integrating its Sainsbury's and Argos operations to cut costs.
- Online grocer Ocado has stepped up the battle between supermarkets by announcing it will price-match 10,000 Tesco goods.
The move comes as the company reported losses of more than £500million for last year.
Despite fierce competition between supermarkets, research from analysts Kantar suggested grocery prices are rising at a record pace.
Kantar also said one in four shoppers were now struggling financially.
Rising milk, egg and margarine prices have contributed to grocery prices in the four weeks to February 19 rising 17.1% from a year ago.
Kantar said this was the highest rate since its records began in 2008.
Food prices began to surge last year when the war in Ukraine triggered a huge rise in energy costs and disrupted supplies of grains, vegetable oils and fertiliser.
While prices at supermarkets have risen, all of the big chains are competing fiercely to maintain their market share amid the cost-of-living crisis.
FTSE 100
The UK's top share index, the FTSE 100, was up 20 points at 7,896 shortly after opening this morning, following yesterday's 58-point loss.
Brent crude futures were 0.53% higher at $83.89 a barrel.
Companies reporting today
- Full-year results: Persimmon, Reckitt Benckiser Group, Weir Group