Going local: the retailers opening neighbourhood stores
With less commuting and more time spent exploring the shops and cafes on our doorstep, it comes as little surprise that localism is seeing a resurgence in 2021. Retail Week explores the small store formats popping up on the high street.
Local high streets have seen a resurgence during the pandemic and the trend is touted to continue as many people plan to work from home more post-Covid.
“Local high streets are benefiting from the restrictions on consumer movement due to the pandemic,” explains Harper Dennis Hobbs head of retail consultancy Andy Metherell.
“This enforced ‘hyper-localism’ will help consumers reconnect with their local high streets and communities.”
Research from Harper Dennis Hobbs backs up this trend.The HDH Vitality ranking, which looks at the health of retail locations, was topped by small affluent market towns, such as Beaconsfield and Henley-on-Thames.
Already have an account? Sign in here