Category: town centre planning
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We can not rely on lower inflation to bring our customers back.
Let us hope that the predictions of lower inflation and reduced interest rates have become a reality by the time you read this post. The omens are good. In the traditional cycle of things our customers regularly go through times of financial hardship and relative freedom to spend. It is just a matter of managing…
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Why Sook still inspires a new generation of omnichannel retailers?
in branding & visual communication, brave-words, customer experience, disruptive retail, high street planning, location strategy, meaning in the retail madness, new retail, omni-channel retailing, pop-up stores, pureplay, retail, retail businesses, retail management, retail organisations, retail strategy, retail-regeneration, shop of the future, store experience, town centre planningIt is now a month or so since the sad news that Sook, the one-stop pop-up shop provider, announced it was closing. And whilst there have been many new players and initiatives in the pop-up market over recent times, from traditional property agents looking at flexible and short-term leases through to markets and trader communities…
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Marks & Spencer looking good, by making ‘Less look commercially attractive!’
in assortment structure planning, customer experience, fashion accessories, food & drink, high street planning, home, kids fashion, ladies fashion, location strategy, meaning in the retail madness, multi-category, omni-channel retailing, retail, retail brand heritage, retail businesses, retail management, retail organisations, retail strategy, shop of the future, space management, space planning, store experience, store layout, store theatre, town centre planningMarks & Spencer continues to impress with its sales figures and market share across fashion and home, as well as the more predictable food category. And whilst few would argue that they have the most exciting shops on the high street, the ambitious and highly successful store regeneration program is already reaping rewards, and putting…
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The ‘Biggest Threat’ to the High Street is to try to keep it the same!
in disruptive retail, food & drink, high street planning, leisure & sport, meaning in the retail madness, new retail, omni-channel retailing, pop-up stores, recycling, renting, retail, retail businesses, retail management, retail organisations, retail strategy, retail-regeneration, town centre planningThe ‘Biggest Threat’ to the High Street is to try to keep it the same! I am often asked, ‘What are the biggest threats to the High Street?’ I am asked by multiples who are trying to work out whether their current and future strategy and investment in town centres is correct, and by new…
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Why not “Wipe the Slate Green” when it comes to retail business rates reform?
Why not “Wipe the Slate Green” when it comes to retail business rates reform? It is common consensus that the UK retail business rates system is broken. It is unfair and inappropriate for this omnichannel world. However much of the dialogue on reform has revolved around the ‘battle between channels.’ Does it not seem equally…
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John Lewis: ‘Out-of-sight, out-of-mind!’
in branding & visual communication, customer service, high street planning, home, in-store services, location strategy, meaning in the retail madness, multi-category, omni-channel retailing, retail, retail brand heritage, retail businesses, retail management, retail organisations, retail strategy, store experience, town centre planningJohn Lewis: ‘Out-of-sight, out-of-mind!’ Tunbridge Wells, or to be correct Royal Tunbridge Wells, is John Lewis heartland. If you were designing the perfect town for the values and qualities of the brand, the lifestyle, the demographic, the income levels, then you would create Tunbridge Wells. Tunbridge Wells had a John Lewis shop. We had a…
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Charity Super.Mkt: ‘Cometh the hour, cometh the people!’
in brave-words, customer experience, disruptive retail, high street planning, ladies fashion, location strategy, meaning in the retail madness, new retail, pop-up stores, recycling, renting, retail, retail businesses, retail management, retail organisations, retail strategy, retail-regeneration, sales promotions & events, supply-chains, sustainability, town centre planningFollowers of sustainable fashion cannot have avoided the opening of the first multi-charity department store, at the Brent Cross shopping centre, in North London. Ten charities are represented in the store, including Age UK, Cancer Research, Shelter and Traid. It has opened to much fanfare in a former TopShop unit and is not just remarkable…
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Why Independent Retailers should naturally make the best social media influencers!
in branding & visual communication, brave-words, customer experience, customer service, customer-engagement, food & drink, high street planning, location strategy, meaning in the retail madness, personalisation, retail, retail brand heritage, retail businesses, retail management, retail strategy, retail-regeneration, store experience, store theatre, telling product stories, town centre planningHave you ever wondered why shopping on a good local high street takes so long? Well, there may be negatives such as finding somewhere to park, particularly if its popular, but once in situ it is largely down to becoming immersed in the whole shopping experience. You discover new and unusual products that require further…
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Retail winners combine ’New Thinking & Processes’ with ‘Old Values & Channels.’
in branding & visual communication, customer experience, customer service, high street planning, location strategy, meaning in the retail madness, new retail, omni-channel retailing, retail brand heritage, retail businesses, retail management, retail organisations, retail strategy, retail-regeneration, store experience, store theatre, town centre planningMy own Top 5 predictions for the year ahead… 1. The ‘Pureplay bubble’ will continue to burst. 2. Physical retail, in one form or another, will almost always be essential. 3. The convenience and reliability of Click & Collect will become even more widespread as a game-changer. 4. Traditional retailers will continue to decisively get…
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Keep your ‘Retail Feet’ firmly on the Ground. Physical is back with a vengeance!
in assortment structure planning, branding & visual communication, customer experience, customer service, customer-engagement, disruptive retail, high street planning, location strategy, meaning in the retail madness, new retail, omni-channel retailing, personalisation, retail, retail businesses, retail management, retail organisations, retail strategy, retail-regeneration, sales promotions & events, social savvy, store experience, store operations, store theatre, town centre planning, value retailing, website excellenceIt’s the time of year when the Christmas period sales results come in, and the assessment of winners and loses takes place. My own Top 5 conclusions… The top of Retail Week’s ‘Christmas trading 2022 league table’ has a strangely familiar feel to it, featuring the likes of JDSports, Greggs, Next, B&M, Sainsburys and Tesco.…
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