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Our final online event of 2020 is about to start!Will online shopping be the end of the high street?
@Paul_Swinney @SharonAppleby1 @the_brc's Helen Dickinson and @AskNationwide's Richard Newland join @AndrewCities to discuss the future of retail spending
#covidhighstreet
Director of Research and Policy @Paul_Swinney kicks off by saying that spend has recovered to pre-pandemic levels in all cities studied.
#covidhighstreet
#covidhighstreet
Non-essential spend has taken the hit over the course of the pandemic. But we do even see a recovery in that.
Other elements of spend have been constant - essential spend, online spend, and online non-essentials.
Other elements of spend have been constant - essential spend, online spend, and online non-essentials.
This chart shows there's some hope for the #HighStreets as online spend hasn't increase significantly as a proportion of overall spend.
#covidhighstreet
#covidhighstreet
Has the pandemic shifted spend to local high streets?
The purple line shows spending in non-essential retail shops in local high streets has recovered well. But smaller and medium size cities have done better than big cities.
But we're still not back to pre-pandemic levels.
The purple line shows spending in non-essential retail shops in local high streets has recovered well. But smaller and medium size cities have done better than big cities.
But we're still not back to pre-pandemic levels.
To conclude, @Paul_Swinney says that spending has recovered, even with increases in online spending bricks and mortar has bounced back, but that big cities are struggling most.
Now @SharonAppleby1 explains what's been going on in Sunderland.
@SunderlandBID have been tracking across various indicators to see patterns in consumer behaviour and how footfall has responded to restrictions over the year.
@SunderlandBID have been tracking across various indicators to see patterns in consumer behaviour and how footfall has responded to restrictions over the year.
Schemes and initiatives introduced to respond to the changing nature of the high street due to #Covid_19:
Sunderland vouchers
Park and perks
Shop happy — to help independent shops
Sunderland vouchers Park and perks Shop happy — to help independent shops
New businesses are starting to open in Sunderland says @SharonAppleby1.
She believes this will only continue as the city continues to regenerate. She is not worried about the threat from online spending.
She believes this will only continue as the city continues to regenerate. She is not worried about the threat from online spending.
Now Richard Newland from @AskNationwide.
Customers are using branches differently. Will patterns become the new normal, or enhance the role of branches?
Nationwide believe branches are vital - particularly in times of crisis.
Customers are using branches differently. Will patterns become the new normal, or enhance the role of branches?
Nationwide believe branches are vital - particularly in times of crisis.
A blend of digital and investments in physical space are important for @AskNationwide
Their view is formed by being a landlord & a tenant on the high street
They are committed to the high street & have promised branches open now will stay until January 2023
#covidhighstreet
Their view is formed by being a landlord & a tenant on the high street
They are committed to the high street & have promised branches open now will stay until January 2023
#covidhighstreet
Next up, @the_brc's Helen Dickinson:
We must not characterise online vs. offline.
A blended view is the lens we should take when thinking about the future of retail.
We must not characterise online vs. offline.A blended view is the lens we should take when thinking about the future of retail.
Helen says there's been a huge uptick in online spend. This has implications for jobs, how retail is done, and place and space of city & town centres.
Retail footfall was down 65% in November. Pre-Nov it was down 30%.
The biggest impact has been felt in urban places.
Retail footfall was down 65% in November. Pre-Nov it was down 30%.
The biggest impact has been felt in urban places.
Physical retail sales were down by 10% this year. What has impacted this?
Existing trends
Tourism
Restrictions
Shift in working patterns
And how many of these impacts will stick? asks
@the_brc's Helen Dickinson.
Existing trends Tourism Restrictions Shift in working patternsAnd how many of these impacts will stick? asks
@the_brc's Helen Dickinson.
Places should look to a vibrant future that looks beyond retail.
How can they improve care services?
Culture?
Leisure?
Housing?
A broader definition of community space is needed.
How can they improve care services? Culture? Leisure? Housing?A broader definition of community space is needed.
Now time for a Q&A.
Why have overall retail sales picked up to previous levels?
It's important to pay attention to the fact that there are huge variations between location, category or channel when it comes to spend.
We'll see a recovery when we don't see major swings.
Why have overall retail sales picked up to previous levels? It's important to pay attention to the fact that there are huge variations between location, category or channel when it comes to spend.
We'll see a recovery when we don't see major swings.
For Sunderland, @SharonAppleby1 hopes that the share of spend from Durham and Newcastle won during 2020 stays in 2021.
@AskNationwide's Richard Newland says that places dependent on retail depend on people returning to the office. The success of the high street depends on this.
@AskNationwide's Richard Newland says that places dependent on retail depend on people returning to the office. The success of the high street depends on this.
How is the shift from spending in cash playing out?@SharonAppleby1 says businesses still want to take cash. There's a lot more work to do to shift to cashless.
@the_brc's Helen Dickinson says the major shift won't reverse. But access to cash is important for some people.
Will spend concentrate on the 2 days people are in the office in the future? And will local centres see an increase as a result?
Predictions:- 5 days a week in an office will not return
- More flexible spaces
- Retail has to become more interesting
More predictions:- Offices in cities will endure - they will be redesigned, says @AskNationwide's Richard Newland
- Workplaces will be more about community
- There will be a knock on on local economies
The view from Sunderland from @SharonAppleby1:
Sunderland is currently behind on office accommodation.
But it means there's an opportunity to make sure this is built for the future.
Sunderland is currently behind on office accommodation. But it means there's an opportunity to make sure this is built for the future.
To conclude, @Paul_Swinney says that we'll have to wait to see until workers return to see which patterns endure.
For #London, bouncing back means bouncing back to a position of strength. In #Sheffield, first #Covid_19 then other interventions are needed.
#covidhighstreet
For #London, bouncing back means bouncing back to a position of strength. In #Sheffield, first #Covid_19 then other interventions are needed.
#covidhighstreet
Thanks everyone for joining and to our panel of speakers 
Keep up to date on all our work on high streets and city centres via our website
https://www.centreforcities.org/high-streets/
Keep up to date on all our work on high streets and city centres via our website
https://www.centreforcities.org/high-streets/
Our first event of 2021 will be the launch of #CitiesOutlook.
Sign up now to secure your place! https://www.centreforcities.org/event/cities-outlook-2021-launch/
Sign up now to secure your place! https://www.centreforcities.org/event/cities-outlook-2021-launch/
