365 Retail is pessimistic about traditional retail's ability to compete with online shopping, in almost every category. It cites the example of high street betting and gaming outlets, which are unable to compete with the immersive and rapid-response features of sophisticated on-line operations, punters greatly preferring the comfort of their own home, to the damp and chilly town centre.
365 Retail foresees the high street becoming a place of limited impulse purchases, as people rush for their buses and trains.
Commercial Property Advisors (CPA) is rather less gloomy, believing that 2020, although challenging, will witness a more stable post-Brexit trading climate, and the continuing increase of niche retail and hospitality businesses, which will restore a much-needed intimate atmosphere - non-standard, less corporate, often quirky - to our high streets.
CPA consequently recommends that all businesses caught up in this age of change, sign up for a business rates health check, to ensure that their fledgeling operations are not taxed too highly, based on their former enterprises.
CPA consequently recommends that all businesses caught up in this age of change, sign up for a business rates health check, to ensure that their fledgeling operations are not taxed too highly, based on their former enterprises.
CPA thinks 2020 will prove the doom-mongers wrong and looks forward to helping change the fortunes of the high street by responding swiftly to all requests for help and advice.