How can we entice shoppers back to our local high streets and towns?

We round up a selection of services and technologies to help keep shoppers spending locally.

The high street is constantly evolving. Undoubtedly, the growth and convenience of e-commerce adversely affected the high streets. Following this, the pandemic and the high cost of doing business made having a high street shop even more of a challenge. Inevitably shops closed and vacancies rose, but this opened the way for new retailers to expand and reach their customers. Shoppers now more than ever need a reason to visit physical stores, brands cannot be complacent, and the store needs to resonate with brand followers.

Northbanks is working with our clients to do just this – we’re creating more meaningful and relevant environments that incorporate non-traditional thinking and strategies to create stronger and more sincere engagement with the consumer, and by doing so it builds and strengthens brand loyalty.

Brands which establish lasting relevance and loyalty with their customers and community can bring high streets back to life.

Human beings are social creatures and like to be around other people – and that’s the one thing that is very difficult to get in an e-commerce environment, as such great high streets have a mixed use community.

We should be creating destination high streets where shoppers want to enjoy spending their time at.

In our opinion the formula for a successful high street would be one that is experience led, whilst also tapping into the values that people hold dear – we know that consumer focus has switched from transactional to relational, so let’s create a high street that is community focused, sustainability led, which also caters for all societies and generations – think senior friendly environments and hubs for Gen Z gatherings. Blending great retail with memorable experiences such as indoor go-karting, restaurants and bars, concert venues, immersive exhibits and other forms of entertainment.

Not to mention that being able to find your new favourite brands on your high streets makes them relevant again.

Retail has become multichannel and experiential.

High streets should be places to experience, learn, and be entertained and not just transactional.

At last, the high street is becoming a better place to visit.