Economy of Richmond

Mostly independent businesses line the narrow alleyways running off George Street towards Richmond Green and up Richmond Hill and there is a farmers' market in Heron Square on Saturdays. Richmond has one large stand-alone supermarket, Sainsbury's, with parking for 420 cars to the east of the town.

A range of convenience shopping, restaurants and cafes can be found on the crest of Richmond Hill lining Friars Stile Road, as well as along Kew Road towards the Botanical Gardens, and on Sheen Road, which comprise the third tier of the shopping hierarchy.

Retail vacancy rate, at 4.6% in 2004, is very low, well below the national average of approximately 12%. Zone A rents (prime retail floorspace) have been rising steadily since 1993 and were £180 ft in 2004. In 2011, Richmond headed the list as the most recession-proof retail centre nationwide.

Richmond also offers a wide variety of office accommodation and is the UK/European headquarters of several multi-national companies including PepsiCo, eBay and The Securitas Group, as well as head office to a number of national, regional and local businesses