what does the future hold?
Department Stores
FEATURE
By: Rob Fletcher Selfridges reacted to market demand by transforming the store exterior on Duke and Orchard Streets into a garden centre
One of the hardest hit areas of the retail sector over the past decade, Rob Fletcher looks at what the future might hold for department stores and how they are evolving to cope with the changing market The huge increase in online shopping over the past decade or so has had a major impact on department stores, with many consumers turning to Amazon, eBay and other online shops for shopping, rather than a more traditional trip out to a physical store. This has been exaggerated further over the past 18 months during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the closure of retail ultimately leading to the loss of Debenhams from a High Street that was still reeling from the departure of BHS. However, while we have heard plenty about the closure of stores across other department store brands, we are also starting to see signs of evolution in this area, with the remaining parties moving outside of their traditional remit and taking on new approaches in order to stay part of the retail landscape.
“The department store delivers a real-life experience that can’t be matched online, presenting products that you didn’t know you wanted in innovative and desirable settings”
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