The way we conduct our retailing is changing rapidly. Online viewing of products, purchasing, and payment has impacted on city centres. The resulting reduction in footfall and commercial retail space has created opportunities for imaginative, innovative ways to draw in customers and to repurpose spaces. A focus on experiential aspects of shopping as a social activity matters.

Read more here.

Renewed attention is being given to the experience economy as a means to avert the death of the city centre. In-store experiences matter, with more emphasis on consumer needs, entertainment and leisure, and an environment. Adjusting to this is challenging and costly in the short term, but catering for a different store experience where sustainability is prominent is one positive response.

Store of the future.

A key response to changing retail habits and concerns about 'fast fashion' has been an emphasis on local - locally owned stores with more unique and artisanal merchandise; local sourcing of goods and products; local relationships between consumer and business. In the future city centre, opportunities to reuse space to support local production can offer a premium. 

Is this more sustainable? Read some thoughts here.