Retail Destination
    • FREE Email Newsletters
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Subscribe
    Twitter
    Retail Destination
    • News
      • Acquisitions
      • Appointments
      • Facilities
      • F&B
      • Footfall
      • Marketing
      • Store opening
      • Store signing
      • Technology
    • Development
      • Construction
      • Investment
      • Leasing
      • Planning
    • Products & Services
    • Sponsored Content
    • Events
      • Sceptre Awards 2024
      • Retail Destination Live 2025
    • Digital Editions Archive
    Twitter
    Retail Destination
    Features

    From surviving to thriving

    Iain HoeyBy Iain HoeyJanuary 19, 20223 Mins Read
    LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email

    Sam Keam, co-founder at zero emission delivery operator Zedify, discusses how the pandemic will transform high streets for the better

    With the loss of high-profile retailers in the past year – Debenhams and Topshop to name a few – you’d be forgiven for thinking the death of the high street is upon us. And while physical footfall has dropped in recent years, as Deloitte reports, there’s also huge potential for positive reinvention. So how will our high streets change in the next decade?

    Smaller retailers typically own a lot less real estate than high street behemoths, but this new age of retail will make it possible for them to dramatically expand their footprints and grow their influence. As wealthier retailers cut back on space, small retailers will be able to move in, and even work together to create “retail hubs” in city centres, with several using the same large space to display sample stock.

    As confidence grows, landlords may be willing to grant shorter leases, giving retailers anything from one week to six months to set up shop in certain areas. As a result they will be able to strengthen their influence across the UK, and attract more online customers by giving them a chance to physically experience their brand.

    With months of isolation heightening people’s demand for social experiences, it’s likely we’ll see our high streets try and capitalise on this by pivoting from places of purchase to cultural hotspots. From VR and AR activations, immersive pop-ups, shows and music concerts, retailers – with the support of local councils and authorities – will push the envelope to attract people to city centres for a day of shopping and entertainment.

    To compete, those that may have traditionally played it safe with the look and feel of their stores will start to experiment more with their design and layout. The rotating influx of smaller brands, meanwhile, will inject a much-needed sense of dynamism into urban areas large and small.

    Retailers have long been under pressure to make their supply chains less carbon-intensive, and this evolving landscape creates the perfect conditions for making this a reality. Currently most goods ordered online are fulfilled from large distribution hubs miles out of the city, before being delivered to consumers by vans – some just a third full, thanks to increasingly short delivery window expectations.

    But as retailers cut back on real estate, they will be able to use this new space to store goods more centrally – perhaps even sharing with other retailers. Zero emissions delivery fleets such as bikes and trikes can then be relied upon to deliver goods to nearby areas, cutting out a significant portion of their overall delivery emissions and minimising traffic on our roads. 

    While the pandemic has brought challenges, it will also force retailers to consider new ways of survival – the result of which could be high streets that are greener, more diverse, and more exciting places.

    This was first published in Retail Destination Fortnightly. Click here to subscribe.

    Previous ArticleBacking Banbury
    Next Article Blown away
    Iain Hoey

    Read Similar Stories

    Looking ahead to 2023

    January 23, 2023

    Will poor parking ruin the customer journey this Christmas?

    December 8, 2022

    Hybridisation of retail

    September 28, 2022
    Latest News

    Xscape Milton Keynes celebrates 25 years

    May 20, 2025

    SPYSCAPE to open in Covent Garden

    May 20, 2025

    Leading brands recommit to Manchester Arndale

    May 20, 2025
    Sponsored Content

    Why Destination Retail is Charging the Way Forward for the UK’s EV Infrastructure

    May 1, 2025

    Powering retail growth: charging ahead towards net zero

    October 1, 2024

    Twin Benefits

    May 30, 2024
    © 2022 Lewis Business Media. All Rights Reserved.
    Lewis Business Media, Suite A, Arun House, Office Village, River Way, Uckfield, TN22 1SL

    Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions

    • Retail Destination Live
    • Sceptre Awards

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “ACCEPT ALL”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
    Cookie SettingsREJECT ALLAccept All
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-advertisement1 yearSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie is used to record the user consent for the cookies in the "Advertisement" category .
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics1 yearSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie is used to record the user consent for the cookies in the "Analytics" category .
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional1 yearThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary1 yearSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie is used to record the user consent for the cookies in the "Necessary" category .
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others1 yearSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie is used to store the user consent for cookies in the category "Others".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance1 yearSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie is used to store the user consent for cookies in the category "Performance".
    PHPSESSIDsessionThis cookie is native to PHP applications. The cookie is used to store and identify a users' unique session ID for the purpose of managing user session on the website. The cookie is a session cookies and is deleted when all the browser windows are closed.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    CookieDurationDescription
    _ga2 yearsThe _ga cookie, installed by Google Analytics, calculates visitor, session and campaign data and also keeps track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognize unique visitors.
    _gat_gtag_UA_31822138_191 minuteSet by Google to distinguish users.
    _gid1 dayInstalled by Google Analytics, _gid cookie stores information on how visitors use a website, while also creating an analytics report of the website's performance. Some of the data that are collected include the number of visitors, their source, and the pages they visit anonymously.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    CookieDurationDescription
    OAID1 yearThis cookie is set when an AdsWizz website visitor have opted out the collection of information by AdsWizz service or opted to disable the targeted ads by AdsWizz.
    SAVE & ACCEPT
    Powered by CookieYes Logo