The British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) says growth in the number of independent shops is "becoming vanishingly slender", as new figures show openings continuing to fall.
Research by the association and The Local Data Company shows that while in 2010 the net growth (openings less closures) of independent high street businesses was 4%, by 2014 this had reduced to 0.3%. The chains also continued their retreat.
In terms of year-on-year numbers, in 2014 there were just 346 more independents (+0.33%) versus 726 more (+0.69%) in 2013. Independents now account for 66% (no change on 2013) of all retail and leisure units in Great Britain.
Businesses such as health & beauty, financial services, tattoo parlours and estate agents increased by the greatest number of units, while key growth sectors have been barbers, beauty salons, tobacconists/e-cigarettes and mobile phone shops.
Most closures have been of clothing and shoe shops, newsagents, pubs and hairdressers.
The research shows the top independent locations, with 50 or more units, to be Portobello Road, London; Narborough Road, Leicester; Sparkhill, Birmingham; Goodmayes, Ilford; and Epworth, Doncaster.
The five with the fewest independents are Telford; Ellenbrook, Hatfield; Yate, Bristol; Cowley, Oxford; and Bracknell.
Analysis of in- and out-of-town locations shows that retail parks continue to see a positive increase in occupancy (+2.38%) whilst high streets remain more or less flat at +0.1% and shopping centres face challenges, with a net decrease in occupancy of -1.02%.
BIRA deputy chief executive Michael Weedon said: "Prospects for high streets have been brightened for the past four years by the net growth in the numbers of independent retailers: there are more now than there were in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.
"But looking down the road the future is darkening. Chains have tripled their closure rates and while independents continue to open to fill voids, the margin of growth is becoming vanishingly slender.
"The second half of 2014 actually showed a small net loss in the numbers of independents after a gain in the first six months. Following the path of the trend from the past four years leads to a point at which there will no growth in numbers of small shops and the prospect that vacancy will start to rise again."