Retail unit and retail type data are aggregated annually at the Local Authority level across the UK, with the exception of the years 2018 and 2019, where two aggregations per year are provided to capture more granular shifts in retail patterns.
The dataset includes counts for the following variables:

• Total Retail Units
• Vacant Property
• Comparison
• Convenience
• Leisure
• Service
• Non Retail
• Service
• Miscellaneous
• Unknown

For detailed description of the columns contained within the data, see the Variable Dictionary; and for an overview of the characteristics of the data, see the Data Summary. These files can be downloaded from the bottom of this page.

If you are interested in record level LDC data, these are available here.

Content and Size of the Data
• Variables: 11
• Observations: UK 2024 Local Authority Districts (344)

Quality, Representation and Bias
Depending on year, before 2019, about 70% of the locations have building level accuracy with the rest having postcode level accuracy. Since 2019 onwards, all the locations have postcode level accuracy.
The representation varies among the datasets with the most recent years being the most complete, which means that additional caution should be taken with temporal analysis.
The annual aggregation approach is generally consistent; however, in 2018 and 2019, two aggregations per year were applied to capture heightened data variability during these periods. This adjustment reflects the need for additional temporal granularity in certain years, so extra care is recommended when performing longitudinal analyses.