The high street

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

That is exactly what will happen and indeed has been happening if we care to look - as I demonstrated in my earlier post about a town centre local to me effectively moving twice over the past 40 years. My brother now lives in an ultra trendy apartment in what was a run down part of the city centre and all the shops opening around where he lives reflect the newly arrived affluence.
Even putting online shopping aside for a moment, the high street has had to change to cope with the demands of shoppers and the ever more sophisticated ways of retailing.
I do think though that the shops that reappear or survive will be more immediate requirement, convenience or specialist outlets. The vast majority of retail purchasing and marketing will be done online.

Which is what most town centre shops would have been for in any case as people did not have disposable income of any great amount and so only bought the stuff they really needed. And for the more infrequent purchases that folks saved up for - and wanted to see, touch and feel before committing - so arose the family owned department stores. And have one still in our town - right slap bang in the middle. And as the smaller specialist shops struggle it seems to be able to keep going - maybe as it provides just enough of what the specialist shops provide.

 

[jim8flog]

The experience of try before you buy has changed. My wife buys from ASOS, tries it in the comfort of her own house, with multiple shoes and multiple other outfits. Then returns anything she doesn’t want free of charge.
.

It even looks like that model is changing. A lot of internet retailers are pushing for the free returns to be scrapped. It has already happened with Sports Direct.

I know about distance selling regs but if you do not return within the time scale they do not apply and who wants to get in to big slanging match about who is going to pay.

 

[User62651]

M&S must think they have a market in Oban - but I wouldn't think Oban is a natural home for an M&S...it's not exactly awash with more expensive outlets other than a couple or three 'tourist and tartan' places - must be targetting the 'white settler' market

Anyway - going to be in Oban mid Sept - one evening and passing through like, I think, many if not most visitors to Oban will do - and so just this morning booked our B&B in Oban for the night before the 6:15am boat to Tiree.

Tiree? Very hip!
I haven't been but trendy with the posh set these days (thanks to celebrity visitors). Always been a hotspot for windsurfers.
Windy yet often sunny, apparently a good place to absolutely chill out with some gentle cycling/beachcombing/wildlife spotting.
U playing the 9 holer there?
How are your sea legs, 5 hour sail I believe.
I had a short break in Islay last year, was a lot of fun, better than I thought it'd be. There's just something about going to an island, changes the mindset/outlook somehow.

 

[SocketRocket]

Tiree? Very hip!
I haven't been but trendy with the posh set these days (thanks to celebrity visitors). Always been a hotspot for windsurfers.
Windy yet often sunny, apparently a good place to absolutely chill out with some gentle cycling/beachcombing/wildlife spotting.
U playing the 9 holer there?
How are your sea legs, 5 hour sail I believe.
I had a short break in Islay last year, was a lot of fun, better than I thought it'd be. There's just something about going to an island, changes the mindset/outlook somehow.

Yes that's correct and probably a big factor of Brexit