With a constant stream of retail company voluntary arrangements (CVA's) we have been witnessing recently, changes in leadership goes with the territory which we're seeing as a wider trend too. There is clearly an uncertainty from retailers in terms of how to drive forward a clear brand strategy.
High streets are under going dramatic changes and will continue to evolve in the next decade. Shopping as we know it is changing too and becoming 'experience' driven. We have witnessed this in the last decade with the rise of pop up shops, and more places where you visit to try out new activities that are not always purchase driven - building brand loyalty.
As we move into an uncertain new year for the retail industry, Local Authorites have a vital part to play in supporting our town centres and stakeholders, redefining the customer experience for the local community and visitors - supporting retail with local leadership to tackle the current challenges being experienced by town centres up and down the country.
We're often being asked how do you identify the types of projects to deliver in a town centre? The answer always comes back to the…
News that high streets are dying with shops lying empty and imminent collapse of major retailers would suggest that local authorities are unaware of what is happening in their towns. The reality is that many councils up and down country are already creatively leading on the revitalisation of their town centres, working closely with stakeholders.
