Overview

Background:
The slow decline of Britain’s high streets and town centres has been a key issue for the retail industry, planners, national and local government for some time. But in the last 12 months, as the recession has taken its toll on consumer spending and the economy generally, many large retail businesses as well as independent retailers have disappeared.

Retailing, unlike other industries such as in the manufacturing sector, is often overlooked in times of economic downturn, receiving little or no aid or support. But the sheer scale of the retail downturn, particularly in certain towns and cities, has taken many councils and regional development agencies by surprise.

Retail Week & Partners are addressing this problem with both practical case-studies from the front-line, as well as strategic insights from Chief Executives of both retailers and other stakeholders. 

It is clear that this is now a national problem that if not tackled quickly with a proper framework and strategy, will only escalate leaving swathes of ghost towns across the country with all the knock-on effects on local employment and migration of people out of town centres.

For the retail sector, both national and small independent businesses are united in their desire to help turn this situation around but recognise that it requires co-ordinated action.

The Summit will be complemented by an editorial campaign in both Retail Week and Drapers magazines, the voice of the retail industry, designed to create a platform for retailers of all sizes to put their concerns and ideas for change.