GLASGOW lost 87 stores to closure last year, according to new research.

At the same time a total of 71 shops opened - meaning the net reduction of retailers was 16.

The research by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) found 28 fewer stores opened in Scotland in 2014 than the previous 12 months.

The study of multiple retailers in 500 town centres across Great Britain found that last year 312 outlets closed in Scotland - a rate of six per week - compared to 246 openings.

The net loss of 66 shops is more than double that recorded in 2013.

Charity shops, coffee outlets, tobacconists and e-cigarette vendors were the businesses most likely to open, while mobile phone shops, building societies and cheque cashing stores were the biggest losers.

Bruce Cartwright, head of business recovery services at PwC in Scotland, said the research showed the "drastic" change in the high street.

He said: "The Scottish high street continues its drastic overhaul in response to the advance of online sales and changing consumer demand, with year's numbers exposing the harsh impact of 'macro' changes on the high street, especially in certain sub-sectors.

"Regulation has blindsided the money shops, the advance of technology has hammered some phone operators and the internet continues to dent the clothing sector."