BY RICHARD HIGGINSON

ACROSS the UK the face of the traditional High Street is changing and, while we can make assumptions as to why, the retail environment is in a state of flux.

No surprise that online retailers are now enjoying the good times.

Those offering a ‘clicks and mortar’ approach, enjoying both bites of the cherry for now.

As consumers interact more and more with their chosen retailer online, for some online will be the only location to do business.

The removal of friction in the buying process is key: we don’t like waiting, we want it now with the least path of resistance.

McDonalds have introduced self-ordering and checkout, easy to order and pay with very little waiting time.

We live in the ‘now’ world, we don’t want to wait but we do expect a good experience.

Interesting survivors of this current downward trend include cafes, hair salons, nail bars and craft beer bars – goods and services that in the main you can’t buy online and where good customer service is more important than ever.

Here lies the opportunity for town centre high streets, the resurgence of independent traders selling an ‘Experience’ that is relevant, future-proof and profitable.

Stockport has plans to provide an exciting new customer experience in the Produce Hall when it has undergone its transformation.

Set in the historic Market Place, it is set to become a destination of choice for people of all ages, adding to the already burgeoning food and drink scene across the town and prompting wide interactions with the surrounding retailers.

Recalibration is happening, driven by our own shopping habits and expectations.

We should be braced for a tectonic shift in the high street and normal service will be resumed and normality will return with a new and fit for purpose high street offering.