Retail Week Conference 2011: The Future of the High Street

In early 2011 Sean Connolly co-presented with Alex Gourlay of Alliance Boots, Alan Giles of Fat Face, and Simon Fox of HMV at the Retail Week Conference on The Future of the High Street.

Sean presented on how current trends and future drivers of change will impact the High Street and consumers.  Alex, Alan and Simon presented on how retailers should be responding today.

If you find it hard to think ahead 10 years, you are not alone.  Most of us think about the future from the perspective of today.  In our work with clients, we encourage them to think future back, to tell the story of their world and their customers in 10 years time and work back from that to identify what needs to change today.

The next 10 years will be characterised by uncertainty, complexity, volatility, contradictions and speed.  Customers will be older, more powerful, more diverse and living in a world of technology we can’t yet comprehend.  Yet they will be seeking out community, convenience and theatre from their local High Street.  The future is an opportunity – if you seize it now.

Follow these links for more information on our retail work and our future visioning work.