This document is a presentation deck discussing whether the digital world is a threat or benefit to the UK High Street. It was moderated by Neville Hobson on June 19, 2013 in London. The deck discusses statistics showing declining brick and mortar retail stores and rising online retail sales by 2018. It also provides examples of imaginative approaches some retailers are taking to engage online and in-store shoppers simultaneously through partnerships with companies like Google. The presentation considers whether imagination is key for High Street retailers competing in a digital world.

1. #digitalks @jangles
Is a digital world a
threat or a boon for
the High Street?
Moderator: Neville Hobson
London - June 19, 2013
…and other interesting questions
A PANEL DISCUSSION

2. #digitalks @jangles
http://www.thinkspacelondon.com/static/digitalk2.html
Luke Brynley-Jones
@lbrynleyjones
Brandon Butterworth
@bbzaaa
Neville Hobson
@jangles
#digitalks

3. #digitalks @jangles
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2331879/High-Street-Armageddon-1-5-High-Street-stores-face-closure-years-unstoppable-rise-internet-shopping.html
http://www.govtoday.co.uk/business-news/26-economy/16013-uk-retail-facing-a-crisis
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/403104/60-000-stores-to-close-in-five-years-as-our-high-streets-begin-to-die
http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/news/one-in-five-shops-to-close-as-ecommerce-grows/4006787.article

4. #digitalks @jangles
By 2018, the picture looks bleak…
• Total stores down by 22%
– From 281,930 to 220,000
• 316,000 jobs gone compared to today
• Online retail sales up from 12.7% (2012) to 21.5%
by 2018
• Additional 164 companies going into administration:
loss of 22,600 stores and 140,000 employees
– Many of these companies will survive but at the cost of
closing more than half their stores
• The High Street will continue to suffer: 41% of town
centres will lose 27,638 stores
“Retail Futures 2018: Shop Numbers, Online and The High Street - A Guide to Retailing in 2018” - http://www.the-cma.com/research/cma-research-reports/retail-
futures-2018/1

5. #digitalks @jangles
http://www.maryportas.com/portaspilots/

6. #digitalks @jangles
http://www.irisys.co.uk/people-counting-blog/bid/61846/How-do-you-know-if-your-customers-are-showrooming

7. #digitalks @jangles
Imaginative Thinking
• At this year's London Fashion Week
Top Shop partnered with Google to fit
a runway model with a real-time
camera so shoppers could
experience their fashion show from a
unique perspective.
• At the flagship branch in London's
Oxford Street, a specially designed
animated photo booth linked to
Google+ was set up, allowing
customers to try on their favourite
outfits and have their photograph
instantly uploaded on the store's web
page, as well as see it displayed in an
interactive digital window.
http://www.channel4.com/news/high-street-shops-close-retail-crisis-warning
http://www.elle.co.za/topshop-x-google-puts-you-in-the-front-row/

8. #digitalks @jangles

9. #digitalks @jangles
-ability
“ ”

10. #digitalks @jangles
Is all you need
just a little
Imagination?

11. #digitalks @jangles
Is a digital world a threat or
a boon for the High Street?
Neville Hobson
@jangles
London, June 19, 2013
Content of this presentation deck is Copyright 2013 Neville Hobson. Some rights
reserved.
Re-use permitted - read the Creative Commons license for terms.
If you have questions or comment arising from your use of this deck, contact Neville
Hobson:
 +44 7577 997 222
 neville@nevillehobson.com
 www.nevillehobson.eu
 www.nevillehobson.com
 @jangles