- Home
- News
- Sectors
- People
- Supply chain
‘Is UK retail’s £2.8bn excess stock timebomb set to be the sector’s next big crisis?’- ‘Avalanche of returns is dragging down profits in an industry living on thin margins’
- Ranking: Retailers leading in operational excellence, according to industry experts
- Data: More than half of retail supply chain leaders considered quitting in the past year
- Tech
- Stores
- Be Inspired
- Events
- Prospect
High streets could become housing hubs amid online shift, think tank says
Struggling UK high streets could be transformed into residential hubs as the shift to online shopping accelerates, a prominent think tank has suggested.
In a report that aims to influence a review of planning laws, the Social Market Foundation said the move could create at least 800,000 new homes.
The SMF insisted that, amid the rapid rise in ecommerce, the decline of high streets across the UK would not be reversed by policies that attempt to “turn the clock back”.
The move to digital shopping channels has accelerated during the coronavirus pandemic, while the increase in remote working has sparked further declines in town and city centres, even since lockdown measures have been eased.
Subscription content
Please sign in now if you have a subscription or are already registered with us.
Register for free to continue reading
Retail-Week.com provides premium, in-depth intelligence that helps retailers judge risks, spot opportunities and identify what they need to do to win in the digital economy.
Register today for a taste of our high-quality intelligence and enjoy:
- Two free article views per calendar month on Retail-Week.com
- Detailed analysis of current trends and events
- Exclusive newsletters
- In-depth reports, videos, interviews and much more
Discover Retail Week register now
Please note, if you have recently purchased a subscription, it may take a few minutes before your account is updated.