What's happening to high street shops?

The Economist points out that some high street shops are going to administration, some are struggling and some are already shuttered, victim of recession or high taxes or changing shopping habits.

In fact, the retailers that fared best during the recent holiday buying season were those with robust e-commerce operations. According to estimates, online shopping surged during the month of December in 2011, to near £8bn--much higher than in December 2010. Now online shopping accounts for approximately 17% of overall UK retail purchases during the year.


Don't forget m-commerce, which was the shopping method of choice for as many as 25% of online shoppers during December, 2011.

High street shops aren't going away, but they are in the process of reinventing themselves for the new multichannel buying experiences that customers increasingly demand. 


Two success stories are John Lewis and Next. Both offer fast and easy delivery of orders for buyers who buy online. One option these stores feature is "Click & collect" for next-day delivery of orders to nearby stores. Next offers next-day home delivery within most UK areas for a standard delivery charge of £3.99. John Lewis offers free standard home delivery (within approximately 5 business days) for all online orders over £30. Next-day deliveries are available for a fee.


Click & collect is not only convenient, it brings shoppers into a store and presents the possibility of additional impulse purchases. This is a smart option for multichannel shoppers and high street stores alike.