Retail

The High Street isn’t dying - it is in a state of transition - the core element that keeps the high street functioning is still very much alive. The casualties of this change in our shopping habits include some of the nation’s favourite shops, including Debenhams.

Retail needs reinvention and investment to thrive. High streets are becoming more leisure-based, genuine destinations as consumers demand more from their shopping experience.

The retail component of our designs needs to deliver innovation, quality and value. Today’s consumers are digitally active and expect a highly personalised service. Physical shops are set to support and enhance online stores, not compete with them.

This will now include ‘market places’ for product exploration and demonstration. Purchasers want to experience the product first. Our Dyson Demo Stores on Oxford Street and in New York are a ground breaking new retail concept.

Locals still need service-led offers. Services such as dry cleaners, key cutters, nail bars, hairdressers. The growth experienced in the food and beverage sector is perhaps the greatest beneficiary of these changes, as well as the rise of trampoline parks, climbing walls, and other entertainment and health offers.

If the high street is going to survive, it needs to offer exemplary retail spaces and all the amenities that modern consumers desire. The key to revitalising the high street lies in the heart of the high street itself – the people who shop, work, and live there. If Oxford Street can mutate to a proper mixed use environment of residential, work-place, recreation, health-care then this dynamic will support a new retail offer.

We believe this means:

A dynamic experience - enhanced by the architecture

Shopping as an experience - creating a destination an arcade route through the development and a ‘heart’ to the scheme

Exploit Food and Beverage opportunities - enhanced by strong public realm design and great outdoor spaces

Flexible and variety in retail units.

Possible ‘pop-up’ outlets that create change/dynamic to the space

Retail - Active demonstration Culture - Roof top gallery