The Internet Is Taking Over Our High Street
Over the past couple of weeks, you have no doubt heard about the closure of several high street retailers, namely Jessops, HMV and Blockbuster. It wasn't all that long ago we lost Woolworths, and most recently, Game ad Jonathan James have struggled.
I'll be honest, out of the 3 recent closures, HMV doesn't at all surprise me. You might think I'm just saying this, but Dec 24th 2011 I actually said to the other half that within a year they would be gone from the high street. Ok, I may have been a couple of weeks off on my prediction, but hey, I guessed it.
My reason? Well, it was December 24th, 2011, and we had popped into town. Noticing how dead and empty the town centre was, I just happened to mention that within 25 years, there will be no high street. In fact, in 25 years, all I see our "high streets" consisting of are clothes shops, cafes/coffee shops and maybe shops that offer a service.
As I work (read as co run) a successful e-commerce store, I see more and more competitors coming online. Hell, I even notice the amount of business in different markets to us coming online at quite a high rate. As I mentioned a moment ago, I had predicted HMV would leave our High Streets, but I didn't think they'd go pop. I actually thought they'd shut up shop, and just sell online - they seemed to do well at that.
Now here's why I think high streets will soon be a thing of the past. If you want a DVD, CD, food blender, phone, camera, stationary etc etc, basically, anything that is generic and doesn't have to be tried on or tested, you can simply order what you want and have it delivered the next day. In an age where people want things there and then, why mess around driving to town, parking up, walking, queing etc, when you can simply order via Amazon, eBay or direct from a web store whilst sat on the throne, feeding the kids, taking the bus to work!
This is also why I think we'll still have clothes shops, and shoe shops, on the high street. People will want to try these on. Sure, you get the odd individual buy clothes online, but then you have the hassle of returning the items if they don't fit, and for that reason, this is why I think they will never go away.
Now, one more category, home decor. I'm unsure about this. Whilst you can see a lamp online, you may still want to see what it actually looks like. The same goes for beds, sofas, washing machines etc.
As High Streets shrink, I also believe Supermarkets will grow. You can now go to the likes of Tesco and Asda for your weekly shop, and whilst there, you can purchase a TV, phone, laptop, DVD and more. It's a one stop shop, and this will massively affect what we will get in town centres.
However, I am still convinced that within 25 years (maybe 20), the high streets will be a thing of the past. The youth of today are bought up with the Internet and are more than capable of using it. A recent report by pewinternet.org shows that 95% of 18-29 year olds use the Internet, followed by 89% of 30-49, 77% 50-64 and only 52% 65 and above use the Internet. In 25 years, I imagine 99% of 18-29 year olds will be using the Internet, and obviously, the other age ranges will increase to suit.
Once our grandparents and parents are gone, I believe that the high street will follow.
Ok, I think I have waffled on a little more than I expected tonight. One final thing, my predictions of who will fall next.
Predictions for 2013
Here are my predictions for 2013 for companies that will leave the High Street. When I say leave the High Street, and don't necessarily mean that they will go bankrupt, I mean that they may simply choose to focus mainly at online sales.
Argos
Be honest, when was the last time you went into Argos to look in their catalogue, queue up, pay and collect your item? Or are you like many other customers and tak advantage of their click and collect service? Hell, I'd have it delivered if they didn't charge an arm and a leg for delivery. I understand that the original concept in 1973 was something of the future, but now it is very dated. All they need to do is close their stores, use a courier delivery service and ship everything from hubs dotted around the UK. This to me is common sense.
Clintons
Not too long ago this company had to be saved by Hallmark. With the rise and success of sites like Moon Pig and Funky Pigeon, is there a need for an over expensive card shop? I'm sure most high streets have a Card Factory where most cards cost less than £1! I think we'll be saying bye bye to these in the next couple of years
Boots
I think these do well, and are almost like a "co-op" of every high street. You know, it's a standard requirement, just like having a Greggs. What concerns me is the size of their shops, yet they are always empty, other than at Christmas when people take advantage of the 3 for 2 deals. Apart from then, do they get many customers? Again, I predict them downsizing, just have a pharmacy and optician on the high street, and stick everything else online.
Waterstones
I'm not a huge reader of books, and if I'm honest Waterstones is the only book shop, along with The Works, that I could think of. Will all bookshops close soon? Tablets, Smart Phones and eBook Readers seem to be the way forward for bookworms.
WHSmith
Just like Boots, a must have for all high streets. And also like Boots, they typically have large stores, packed with stock, and no customers. However, they do do well in airports. I guess that's because once you've checked in, you have no choice where to go. I also believe that they (or at least used to) supply supermarkets and newsagents with their daily papers and magazine. This is another prediction for leaving the high street, but still operating in some form, possibly as a supplier of papers to newsagents, and also having their own small newsagents in airports and train stations.
Wilkinsons
This is one I'm really unsure of. I don't think these are going away any time soon, but will they be on the high street forever? As mentioned earlier, generic products can be bought online. Will Wilkos go down the Internet route? Or do we really need one in our lives? I'll be honest, I think we will always need a Wilkos available, just for when you really need to see and feel what you are buying for the garden/house is exactly what you are after.
Sorry for waffling on, but there we go. That's may say, and my predictions for 2013.
I'll be honest, out of the 3 recent closures, HMV doesn't at all surprise me. You might think I'm just saying this, but Dec 24th 2011 I actually said to the other half that within a year they would be gone from the high street. Ok, I may have been a couple of weeks off on my prediction, but hey, I guessed it.
My reason? Well, it was December 24th, 2011, and we had popped into town. Noticing how dead and empty the town centre was, I just happened to mention that within 25 years, there will be no high street. In fact, in 25 years, all I see our "high streets" consisting of are clothes shops, cafes/coffee shops and maybe shops that offer a service.
As I work (read as co run) a successful e-commerce store, I see more and more competitors coming online. Hell, I even notice the amount of business in different markets to us coming online at quite a high rate. As I mentioned a moment ago, I had predicted HMV would leave our High Streets, but I didn't think they'd go pop. I actually thought they'd shut up shop, and just sell online - they seemed to do well at that.
Now here's why I think high streets will soon be a thing of the past. If you want a DVD, CD, food blender, phone, camera, stationary etc etc, basically, anything that is generic and doesn't have to be tried on or tested, you can simply order what you want and have it delivered the next day. In an age where people want things there and then, why mess around driving to town, parking up, walking, queing etc, when you can simply order via Amazon, eBay or direct from a web store whilst sat on the throne, feeding the kids, taking the bus to work!
This is also why I think we'll still have clothes shops, and shoe shops, on the high street. People will want to try these on. Sure, you get the odd individual buy clothes online, but then you have the hassle of returning the items if they don't fit, and for that reason, this is why I think they will never go away.
Now, one more category, home decor. I'm unsure about this. Whilst you can see a lamp online, you may still want to see what it actually looks like. The same goes for beds, sofas, washing machines etc.
As High Streets shrink, I also believe Supermarkets will grow. You can now go to the likes of Tesco and Asda for your weekly shop, and whilst there, you can purchase a TV, phone, laptop, DVD and more. It's a one stop shop, and this will massively affect what we will get in town centres.
However, I am still convinced that within 25 years (maybe 20), the high streets will be a thing of the past. The youth of today are bought up with the Internet and are more than capable of using it. A recent report by pewinternet.org shows that 95% of 18-29 year olds use the Internet, followed by 89% of 30-49, 77% 50-64 and only 52% 65 and above use the Internet. In 25 years, I imagine 99% of 18-29 year olds will be using the Internet, and obviously, the other age ranges will increase to suit.
Once our grandparents and parents are gone, I believe that the high street will follow.
Ok, I think I have waffled on a little more than I expected tonight. One final thing, my predictions of who will fall next.
Predictions for 2013
Here are my predictions for 2013 for companies that will leave the High Street. When I say leave the High Street, and don't necessarily mean that they will go bankrupt, I mean that they may simply choose to focus mainly at online sales.
Argos
Be honest, when was the last time you went into Argos to look in their catalogue, queue up, pay and collect your item? Or are you like many other customers and tak advantage of their click and collect service? Hell, I'd have it delivered if they didn't charge an arm and a leg for delivery. I understand that the original concept in 1973 was something of the future, but now it is very dated. All they need to do is close their stores, use a courier delivery service and ship everything from hubs dotted around the UK. This to me is common sense.
Clintons
Not too long ago this company had to be saved by Hallmark. With the rise and success of sites like Moon Pig and Funky Pigeon, is there a need for an over expensive card shop? I'm sure most high streets have a Card Factory where most cards cost less than £1! I think we'll be saying bye bye to these in the next couple of years
Boots
I think these do well, and are almost like a "co-op" of every high street. You know, it's a standard requirement, just like having a Greggs. What concerns me is the size of their shops, yet they are always empty, other than at Christmas when people take advantage of the 3 for 2 deals. Apart from then, do they get many customers? Again, I predict them downsizing, just have a pharmacy and optician on the high street, and stick everything else online.
Waterstones
I'm not a huge reader of books, and if I'm honest Waterstones is the only book shop, along with The Works, that I could think of. Will all bookshops close soon? Tablets, Smart Phones and eBook Readers seem to be the way forward for bookworms.
WHSmith
Just like Boots, a must have for all high streets. And also like Boots, they typically have large stores, packed with stock, and no customers. However, they do do well in airports. I guess that's because once you've checked in, you have no choice where to go. I also believe that they (or at least used to) supply supermarkets and newsagents with their daily papers and magazine. This is another prediction for leaving the high street, but still operating in some form, possibly as a supplier of papers to newsagents, and also having their own small newsagents in airports and train stations.
Wilkinsons
This is one I'm really unsure of. I don't think these are going away any time soon, but will they be on the high street forever? As mentioned earlier, generic products can be bought online. Will Wilkos go down the Internet route? Or do we really need one in our lives? I'll be honest, I think we will always need a Wilkos available, just for when you really need to see and feel what you are buying for the garden/house is exactly what you are after.
Sorry for waffling on, but there we go. That's may say, and my predictions for 2013.
Waterstones are (partly) kept afloat by selling kindles...
ReplyDeleteHad a couple more interesting points raised here
ReplyDeletehttp://www.vivapotenza.com/entry.php?111-The-Internet-Is-Taking-Over-Our-High-Street
Probably wrong about wilkos, their stock falls foul of low margin - high delivery cost. This is similar to supermarkets but they have lots of high value orders whereas wilkos do not.
ReplyDeleteI'd say that supermarkets and pound shops are the main concern for wilkos.
I agree. Like I said, Wilkos was a wildcard, one that I was unsure about. Hell, who knows, Tesco may buy them l=out lol (highly doubt it). But if Tesco really push home DIY and paint in their stores more, they could be a real challenge for Wilkos.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Like I said, Wilkos was a wildcard, one that I was unsure about. Hell, who knows, Tesco may buy them l=out lol (highly doubt it). But if Tesco really push home DIY and paint in their stores more, they could be a real challenge for Wilkos.
ReplyDelete