Looking at the main stories on Retail Week’s property page online you sometimes wouldn’t guess that there was a recession on. Much of the news is what we all want to see more of – good old fashioned expansion stories.

Looking at the main stories on Retail Week’s property page online you sometimes wouldn’t guess that there was a recession on. Much of the news is what we all want to see more of – good old fashioned expansion stories.

H&M, Scribbler and Orange are just three retailers in expansion mode or preparing a ramp up, and long may it last.

What these three and others prove is that it is possible and, indeed, very easy if you’re the right retailer.

This won’t be much comfort to retailers who are having to turn down some of the best deals they’ve ever seen because they still can’t afford them, but a healthier high street is in everyone’s best interest.

CACI estimates some £4.1 billion of retail sales has been lost through the collapse of Woolworths, Zavvi, Rosebys and The Pier alone, much of which is still there for the taking and most retailers need to maintain physical growth to increase sales and market share.

While it was sad to see the back of some of these brands, none of the failures was a real shock.

With stronger players now expanding into the space the collapses have left behind, the process of natural selection is starting to kick in, and the result could be some much healthier high streets long-term.