New figures have revealed that any plans among the big four supermarkets to build to stores have hit a snag.
The halt has been caused by a reported change in shopping habits and the uncertainty of a post-Brexit economic climate.
According to figures revealed in the Telegraph, approximately two thirds of plans to create new large stores have been cancelled by major supermarkets in the last two years.
Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Morrisons have made just one planning application each this year, whereas they made 20 two years ago, according to figures.
Asda have lodged two applications this year, despite shunning convenience retail space and struggling to expand in the South East.
Still, there appears to be uncertainty among the big four supermarkets as they've shevled plans due to their apprehension.
“These latest figures confirm that the large supermarkets are well and truly out of the 'space race’ and that the strategy for them is now to focus on price competition and customer offer rather than increasing footprint”, said Michael Dall, the chief economist of Barbour ABI.
It was recently revealed that Tesco’s sales had recovered and they were taking on the discounters in the supermarket war.
What the UK economy will look like once Article 50 is triggered. And even when the divorce process begins is unclear, after the High Court ruled against the Government, meaning Theresa May must consult parliament before triggering Article 50.