That is because when people go to the shops and supermarkets now they prefer to bring their own re-useable bags rather than pay the equivalent of 19p that each plastic bag costs.

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Despite France's large population of working mothers and fathers, Mr Duran, who is of Spanish-German origin, thinks that people in Latin cultures like to go to shops, to see and, if possible, to touch what is on offer.

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For example, they must maintain bricks-and-mortar shops, so that disgruntled staff and customers have somewhere to go to make complaints.

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If given the go-ahead, it would be transformed into a cultural venue incorporating an auditorium, restaurants, cafes and shops, said Bradford One.

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