FIVE stores a week closed across Scotland in the first six months of the year as retailers struggled with the "relentless" advance of online shopping.

A total of 121 shops owned by multiple retailers shut down, while only 95 opened between January and June. Only Perth and Edinburgh saw an increase in the number of shops, with both cities gaining one extra shop in that time when compared with the first half of 2014.

But Falkirk suffered the biggest loss of nine stores while Glasgow has seven fewer shops.

Coffee shops, charity shops and takeaway outlets were among those growing at the fastest rate while cheque cashing, banks and fashion retailers all suffered.

The figures were compiled by PwC which said the high street was feeling the continuing impact of the growth in online retailing.

Martin Cowie, head of private business at PwC in Scotland, said: “The digital revolution impacting our high streets shows no sign of abating; consumers continue to adopt newer digital channels, mobile technologies and smartphone apps as they become available while younger ‘digital natives’ are developing a different type of relationships with traditional outlets than previous generations.

“It’s becoming increasingly likely that the high streets of the future will be based around immediate consumption of food, goods and services or distress or convenience purchases.

"It might not be what many consumers want but the data and business economics are pointing in that direction at the moment."

Mr Cowie said landlords were also being hit by the "tug of war between 'clicks' and 'bricks'", with renewal rates on leases dropping significantly over the past decade.

He said: "As a result of this ongoing trend, multiple retailers are more likely to approach town centre openings very cautiously.

"This is likely to mean shorter-term leases and more temporary pop-up type formats, particularly during high footfall periods such as Christmas and major city centre festivals and in secondary locations."