A new study looked at the number of independent shops, the street’s ‘vibrancy’ and ‘overall aesthetic appeal’Oldham Street in the Northern Quarter has been named one of the best high streets in the UK according to Gen Z shoppers Oldham Street in the Northern Quarter has been named one of the best high streets in the UK according to Gen Z shoppers (Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)

Manchester’s Northern Quarter is known for its cosy cafes, hip bars, vintage shops and colourful street art. Now a new study has found that it’s home to one of the UK’s top high streets for independent shops.

Oldham Street has ranked third in a list of 10 high streets across the country which most appeal to Gen Z shoppers. The research was conducted by American Express and retail experts Global Data.

The ranking was based on various factors, including the number of independent stores serving Gen Z interests, the total count of independent shops, the street’s vibrancy, and its overall aesthetic appeal. All these can be found in Manchester’s Oldham Street.

It was beaten by Brighton’s Trafalgar Street, Sydney Street, Kensington Gardens, which topped the list; and Sheffield’s Devonshire Street, Division Street and the top of Cambridge Street, ranking in second place. London’s Coal Drops Yard and Stable Street came in fourth place; while Birmingham’s Gibb Street and Floodgate Street came in fifth.

Piccadilly Records and Vinyl Exchange on Oldham Street - one of the many businesses which appeals to Gen Z shoppers Piccadilly Records and Vinyl Exchange on Oldham Street – one of the many businesses which appeals to Gen Z shoppers (Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)Top 10 Independent High Streets for Gen Z:

  1. Brighton (Trafalgar Street, Sydney Street, Kensington Gardens)
  2. Sheffield (Devonshire Street, Division Street & top of Cambridge Street)
  3. Manchester (Oldham Street)
  4. London (Coal Drops Yard & Stable Street)
  5. Birmingham (Gibb Street & Floodgate Street)
  6. London (Broadway Market)
  7. Edinburgh (Deanhaugh Street, Raeburn Place)
  8. Liverpool (Bold Street)
  9. Bristol (Gloucester Road)
  10. Leeds (Central Road, New Market Street, and part of Call Lane)

The research also looked at different sectors which have been boosted by Gen Z spending. GlobalData conducted a survey of UK adult consumers asking for respondents’ purchasing frequency, usage and average spend in a range of businesses, and then calculated total sector spend estimates.

Gen Z's preference for activities such as record collecting have boosted certain sectors, according to a survey Gen Z’s preference for activities such as record collecting have boosted certain sectors, according to a survey (Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)

They then analysed Gen Z responses to determine how this age cohort is boosting specific retail sectors compared to the wider population, through their heightened engagement and self-reported spending in these businesses. The survey found that the generation’s love of all things nostalgic and retro has boosted spending at vintage camera shops by 58 per cent thanks to the craze for digital cameras from the 00s.

Vintage clothing shops (39 per cent) and record shops (23 per cent) have also received a major boost from young shoppers. Non-alcoholic drink spots and health wellness spots also made the list, thanks to Gen Z’s passion for matcha, bubble tea, and Pilates.

Socialising with friends was named as a key reason for visiting their local high streets by more than half (53per cent) of Gen Z (aged between 19-28), the highest out of all generations surveyed. The data does not represent American Express Cardmember spending.

The research is released ahead of this year’s Small Business Saturday on 6 December, of which American Express is founder and remains principal supporter in the UK. The day is designed to celebrate small businesses with people encouraged to support them. Last year, Small Business Saturday saw £634m spent in small businesses nationwide.

Michelle Ovens, Director of Small Business Saturday, said: “Small businesses bring character and individuality to their communities and to the whole nation, so it’s great to see young people celebrating that through their conscious shopping choices. We look forward to seeing this energy translate into support for their favourite independent businesses on Small Business Saturday this December and beyond.”

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