Appendix 1: Current and Emerging Retail Trends

APPENDIX 1:
CURRENT AND EMERGING RETAIL TRENDS

Current and Emerging Retail Trends
Introduction
1.1 The retail market has been the subject of some profound changes over
the recent past. The mix of social and economic conditions which
prevailed in the 1980s triggered the arrival of a much more discerning
consumer, driven not just by value for money but also increased
selectivity and a demand for higher quality shopping environments.
These conditions continue to impinge on the nature of today’s retail
market where consumer loyalty has become a vital ingredient in the
success of retailers. Increasingly, successful shopping facilities have
to fulfil the role of a destination location. In large parts this means
providing a wide range of shopping and leisure facilities able to attract
and retain the interest of the entire family. In return such schemes
benefit not only from much wider catchment areas, but also from
substantially longer shopping trips.
1.2 There is increasing evidence that polarisation of centres is occurring

across the UK, whereby large, more dominant retail markets (both in
terms of town centres and out-of-town malls) have continued to
outperform the average retail growth terms. The reduction in the
amount of new floorspace coming through the out-of-town development
pipeline is likely to further inflate rents in the best retail parks and prime
locations, adding further to the divide between primary and secondary
retail property. Similarly, the more attractive and accessible town
centres are likely to perform better than the less attractive centres.
However, town centre expansion will allow new opportunities to
develop within the heart of towns which could dilute sales and rental
performance in some locations, whilst encouraging it in others. The
effect of such development on existing businesses needs to be
carefully monitored.
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1.3 In the next twenty years the retail landscape will continue to evolve.
Taking the anticipated rise in the volume of retail sales, the expected
trend in sales productivity, as well as the retail schemes already in the
development pipeline, it is reasonable to expect further increases in
total retail floorspace in major retail locations in the future.
1.4 Certainly, future policy needs to be based on creating a balance

between accommodating the dynamism of the market place, its
increasing competitiveness and the widening gulf between differing
shopping locations.
Current Trends
1.5 Currently the UK is undergoing a sustained period of retail growth, with

the high level of consumer confidence witnessed in previous years
holding up. However, this situation is fragile and could change rapidly.
Slower earnings, coupled with speculation about changes in interest
rates and job insecurity could affect the rate of growth.
1.6 Consequently retailers will suffer from even a minor economic

downturn as profit margins have already been cut to sustain levels of
sales. Overall, however, it is apparent that many retailers are
committed to expansion with many new sites due to open over the next
few years.
1.7 A significant change in the retail landscape in the UK occurred within

the publication of Planning Policy Statement 6: Planning for Town
Centres (PPS6). This document promotes the ‘town centre’ first
philosophy with regards to new retail development, to be assessed
through the sequential approached towards site selection. The
sequential approach indicates that when considering new retail
development, sites within existi ng town centres should be preferred
followed by edge-of-centre sites, with out-of-centre sites considered
only as a last resort. Consequently the focus for new retail
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development is existing town centres, with growth in out-of-centre
stores and retail parks being discouraged by national guidance.
Trends in Food retailing
1.8 Despite the historic rise in the edge and out-of-centre large format
supermarkets which occurred during the 1990s, development of such
facilities is now more limited due to stricter planning laws following the
adoption of PPS6 and a lack of suitable space. As a result, the large
stores in the food retailing sector are finding a range of other measures
to improve their market share. These include:
• Offering a wider product range, for example financial and insurance

products, petrol and non-food goods;
• Developing a wider range of outlets, for example small-format
convenience stores in town centres (e.g. Tesco Express), smaller
supermarkets mostly in town centres (e.g. Tesco Metro),
superstores (e.g. Tesco) and hypermarkets (e.g. Tesco Extra);
• Extended opening hours;
• Offering cheap products and no -frills service;
• Providing an attractive and powerful brand image; and
• Offering a home delivery service.
1.9 Notwithstanding this, Verdict (2007) note that supermarkets increased

their combined floorspace by some 2.2m sq ft in 2006, which is more
than double the amount added in 2005. Tesco has been particularly
prolific in this sector by aggressively targeting space as a means to
boost sales. Significantly in 2006 the closure of the planning loophole
regarding mezzanine floors led to a rush of floorspace expansions in
supermarkets. However, Tesco is still expected to increase its UK
floorspace by around 6% in 2007/08, with ASDA, Sainsbury’s,
Morrison’s, Waitrose, Marks and Spencer’s and Iceland all set to open
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new stores. Growth at the discounter end of the market is more limited
however, and notably in 2007 Kwik Save went into administration.
1.10 In terms of products, major areas of growth in the convenience market

have been fair trade and organic produce, with customers willing to pay
higher prices for food with the expectation of getting better quality
produce.
1.11 The number of forecourt convenience stores once popular with

consumers, is now declining due to static fuel sales and high operating
costs, Although there are currently around 10,400 forecourt
convenience stores in the UK this forecast to fall to around 8,500 by
2010 (UK Forecourt Retailing, IGD, 2005).
1.12 Farmers markets and specialist firms offering a home delivery service,
for example organic food, are small-scale operations that are growing
in popularity.
Trends in Non-Food Retailing
1.13 The most significant change in non-food retailing over the last few
years has been the increasing non-food sales accounted for by larger
supermarkets, which have boosted their non-food market share
notably. The development of larger-format stores and increased
allocation of non-food in existing stores has allowed Tesco, ASDA and
Sainsbury’s in particular to increase the range of foods which they sell.
Indeed ASDA ‘Living’ and Tesco ‘Homeplus’ are smaller-format stores
which sell exclusively non-food goods. ASDA is expected to accelerate
the rate of openings in 2007, with Tesco extending the trial of its
‘Homeplus’ format.
1.14 Indeed by 2011 sales of non-food goods in supermarkets are expected

to grow to account for almost £1 in every £5 spent at supermarkets.
The successful execution of more structured range architectures,
4
improved non-food store environments, broader non-food offers online
and enhanced service will be crucial in enabling supermarkets to
maximise their non-food sales opportunities.
1.15 In terms of the comparison sector as a whole a concentration of

national multiples into larger centres has occurred in recent times. As
this takes place, the comparison retailing element of smaller centres
has declined, with their role becoming principally a destination for
convenience goods. Retail parks continue to be popular with
comparison goods retailers, as these facilities allow large purpose built
units to be obtained and often planning permissions permit the sale of
a more diverse range of goods. Another effect of comparison traders
increasingly seeking larger, more modern premises has been a trend
for national multiples to favour covered, purpose built shopping malls
within town centres, such as the new Grand Arcades development in
Wigan. As a result the focus of retailing within town centres has shifted
from the high street to managed shopping centres.
Special Forms of Trading
1.16 Special forms of trading comprise such shopping as e-tailing, TV

shopping and catalogue or mail order shopping.
1.17 Internet shopping is a key growth area in retail and online sales, and as
a proportion of total sales is continuing to grow year on year. Indeed
between 2002 and 2005 online sales increased by some 1,500%
(IMRG, 2005). The IMRG also predict that by 2012 online sales will
have expanded by another 320% to represent almost 20% of all retail
sales. As a result of the increasing popularity of the internet for
shopping purposes, larger retailers are continuing to push online sales
as a means of increasing market share.
1.18 The future impact of a rise in internet shopping remains unclear,

however it is evident that the growth in e-commerce will affect some
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sectors more than others. For example, consumers are more likely to
shop online for electrical items than clothing. However, the British
Council of Shopping Centres (BCSC) note that e-tailing will never
replace the shopping experience, and the impetus is for retailers to
create a comfortable environment for shoppers to attract shoppers.
1.19 The BCSC indicate that whilst online retailing will exert pressure on
retail rental growth over the ne xt five to ten years, this will be felt most
acutely in smaller centres. Larger shopping centres will remain
desirable destinations in which to shop, and are deemed virtually
immune to the impact of online shopping. Physical stores will remain
the most popular point of sale for retailers and expansions are set to
continue, although greater use of websites will be made as a means of
distributing goods to customers.
1.20 Although TV Shopping in the UK has still not taken off the number of
shopping channels, such as QVC and Ideal World, on our TV Screens
is growing as a result of the growth in digital TV. Generally however, in
order to purchase from these service customers still have to phone,
rather than use interactive systems.
1.21 Although catalogue and mail order shopping was expected to become
redundant with the advent on online shopping, there has been a
substantial increase in the number of catalogues, which are often
launched in conjunction with websites. For example in September
2006 Tesco launched Tesco Direct, which comprises a catalogue and
internet based non-food platform, and this will be a major thrust of its
business in 2007. Although some are linked to high street names,
many are small and specialised companies offering a wide range of
products.

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APPENDIX 1:

CURRENT AND EMERGING RETAIL TRENDS

1.2 There is increasing evidence that polarisation of centres is occurring

1.4 Certainly, future policy needs to be based on creating a balance

1.5 Currently the UK is undergoing a sustained period of retail growth, with

1.6 Consequently retailers will suffer from even a minor economic

1.7 A significant change in the retail landscape in the UK occurred within

Trends in Food retailing

• Offering a wider product range, for example financial and insurance

1.9 Notwithstanding this, Verdict (2007) note that supermarkets increased

1.10 In terms of products, major areas of growth in the convenience market

1.11 The number of forecourt convenience stores once popular with

Trends in Non-Food Retailing

1.14 Indeed by 2011 sales of non-food goods in supermarkets are expected

1.15 In terms of the comparison sector as a whole a concentration of

Special Forms of Trading

1.16 Special forms of trading comprise such shopping as e-tailing, TV

1.18 The future impact of a rise in internet shopping remains unclear,

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