Sir, In the current market, it seems only the well-capitalised, corporate businesses are doing well. But with fewer and potentially more powerful brands at play, what is next for independent retailers?
Retail success needs to be spread throughout the nation, and to this end, town centre management bodies have a key role to play, to nurture and encourage competition and diversity in local economies. This is crucial, therefore such bodies should address consumer concerns about competition, choice and dominance of major brands in order to defend towns against the increasing risk of becoming bland clone towns.
With the widespread doom and gloom forever on peoples’ radars, it’s essential for district councillors and Government bodies to work together to eliminate the increasing number of vacant retail units in towns and city centres. Now more than ever, with the ease and convenience of online shopping, consumers need to be tempted out to ‘make a day of it’ in-store.
I notice that one local borough has taken a pro-active stance in developing a unified positive poster campaign to cover the exteriors of empty properties. For this they should be commended. While on one level it is a purely cosmetic exercise to mask the harsh realities of the moment, on another it is the kind of innovative thinking that will help maintain and restore consumers’
confidence and enjoyment of shopping in the area.
Independent retailers should be lobbying their landlords, local councils and trade associations to help them develop and fund effective local marketing initiatives that will keep people shopping in this vital part of the retail sector.
Karl McKeever, Visual Thinking, Leicestershire
Retail success needs to be spread throughout the nation, and to this end, town centre management bodies have a key role to play, to nurture and encourage competition and diversity in local economies. This is crucial, therefore such bodies should address consumer concerns about competition, choice and dominance of major brands in order to defend towns against the increasing risk of becoming bland clone towns.
With the widespread doom and gloom forever on peoples’ radars, it’s essential for district councillors and Government bodies to work together to eliminate the increasing number of vacant retail units in towns and city centres. Now more than ever, with the ease and convenience of online shopping, consumers need to be tempted out to ‘make a day of it’ in-store.
I notice that one local borough has taken a pro-active stance in developing a unified positive poster campaign to cover the exteriors of empty properties. For this they should be commended. While on one level it is a purely cosmetic exercise to mask the harsh realities of the moment, on another it is the kind of innovative thinking that will help maintain and restore consumers’
confidence and enjoyment of shopping in the area.
Independent retailers should be lobbying their landlords, local councils and trade associations to help them develop and fund effective local marketing initiatives that will keep people shopping in this vital part of the retail sector.
Karl McKeever, Visual Thinking, Leicestershire
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