Retail Day
Retail Week, today
Manifestly correct
Today Retail Week launches its Manifesto for the High Street, our attempt at making a constructive contribution to the debate on the future of the UK’s shopping streets. There is clearly a massive issue, because empty shops and an abdication of responsibility from the politicians have meant that many of the UK’s shopping areas are looking particularly forlorn.
Politicians, both local and central, have traditionally assumed that their town centres can look after themselves, that new retailers will replace those that have closed, and that the shoppers that stores attract will ensure the town centre is a dynamic and busy place.
They’ve been asleep on the job, ignoring the impact of both the recession and the rise of retailing both online and out-of-town. And with vacancy rates soaring to 20% and beyond in some places, the need for action now cannot be ignored. There are some low-cost and relatively easy solutions, and with a general election looming, there’s no better time to bring this to the attention of the politicians - we’ll be sending the final manifesto on to all three parties once we’ve incorporated all the feedback to the version we’ve published.
I’d love to hear your views on the manifesto page of the website.
Last night it was the Drapers’ Etail Awards, hosted by the fragrant Claudia Winkelman at the trendy Bloomsbury Ballroom. It had been a long day, having been up since 5am for the BBC, but I bravely soldiered on and it was a great evening, with discount sportswear site M&M Direct sweeping the board. Its very likeable boss Steve Robinson - who I believe has on more than one occasion been compared to actor Jim Carey - was on the slopes unfortunately, but buying director Neil Sampson made it just in time after a mad dash from Heathrow to collect the awards.
Etailers are generally fun - they’re all quite young, and in the fashion world at least, an appealing mix of geek and glamour. Certainly they were partying hard and I’m flagging today, although have been perked up by an excellent lunch with David Carter-Johnson of Adams fame, who is setting up a new venture to help struggling retailers. More of that next week. We were at Quo Vadis and Michael Winner was sitting just behind us, with three blondes.
on Feb 1st, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Hi,
Bristol’s food outlet of the Harvey Nicks brand is now empty and closed. Do you know if the other ones you mentioned back in December’s mag’ (or was it Jennifer?) have also gone? Was it a Christmas only thing or just a pilot? It seems odd to see their large, expensive brand sign and an empty unit beneath.
on Feb 7th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
If saving Britain’s high streets matters to you then find out more about Retail Week’s landmark event on 18 March in Birmingham: http://www.savethehighstreet.co.uk/download-brochure