The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) is warning that High Streets could see 20% of their shops close down within five years as more people turn to the internet for their shopping.
The organisation, which conducts research into retail, technology and crime, says this would equate to 62,000 shops closing down.
The CRR believes large areas of the UK’s High Streets would become housing.
It also says as many as 316,000 workers would lose their jobs.
The CRR says online shopping will continue to expand and the proportion of shopping done via the internet will double to 22%.
The report, which was produced by Prof Joshua Bamfield, said the first shops to go would be pharmacies and health and beauty stores.
Retailers specialising in music, books, cards, stationery and gifts will be next.
DIY shops will also suffer.
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