Retail Recovery: How Creative Retailers Are Winning in their Post-Apocalyptic World

Description

Shortlisted for the Business Book Awards 2022 The world's retail sector has been devastated in recent years by two unstoppable forces: internet shopping and the Covid-19 lockdown. The result: huge numbers of prestigious brands have gone under, or are now a shadow of their former selves, and large parts of the world economy have fallen into a recession, with reduced employment and incomes across large parts of society. High streets and shopping malls lie half-empty, causing a vacuum at the heart of our communities and societies, and many discretionary products have simply become too expensive for people to buy on a regular basis. There is now an urgent need to regenerate our local shopping areas, so how can retailers and brands respond to this crisis? Fortunately, new shoots of recovery are emerging from the wreckage of the old order - new brands, new ways of providing value, and new and innovative methods of creating interest to draw in consumers, all of which have the potential to kick-start the retail economy. Retail Recovery offers a comprehensive analysis of these new forces that are changing the way in which we browse for and buy products, and how we experience and engage with the brands themselves. It includes in-depth interviews with some of the most innovative players in the UK, Europe and North America, in the hope of drawing out key learning points for the rest of the industry. It also provides essential guidelines for governments, as they strive to rebuild and reinforce the retail spaces within our communities, allowing them to create a more effective economic lifeline for retailers, shoppers, retail workers, manufacturers and distributors.

Mark Pilkington is an experienced retailer and consultant, now based in the UK. After graduating from INSEAD, he joined Courtaulds, eventually becoming CEO of Gossard. While there, he coordinated the initial launch of the Wonderbra, with the associated media storm across Europe and North America. He has worked subsequently on joint ventures with M&S (splendour.com), and has consulted extensively in the Middle East in the lingerie and cosmetics areas. His current role is in consultancy for major retail groups on strategic developments in a rapidly-changing sector, with clients in Europe, the US, the Middle East and Asia.

I always learn something from Mark's books. This one is full of brilliant insights. A must-read for any retailer. -- Mary Portas, retail expert and Chief Creative Officer, Portas If you want to understand the dramatic acceleration of change brought about by Covid-19 then read Mark Pilkington's excellent book - and be optimistic about a highly innovative and entrepreneurial future. -- Lord Hague of Richmond, former UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs A fascinating book explaining why we should be excited about the future of shopping.... forget the retail "apocalypse". This is the inside story of its rebirth. -- Henry Tricks, columnist, The Economist Mark hits the nail on the head. For too long we have been stuck in the 'push' mindset of physical retail and selling, rather than ... the pull mindset of radical thought. -- Fraser Brown, Retail & Property Director, Heathrow Airport Consumers want the emotional connection and excitement of physical stores. This book gives you hope that there are retailers who can provide this - creating jobs as part of the adventure. -- Anne Ashcroft, writer and commentator Some excellent insights into how retailers can take advantage of the chaos caused by Covid-19. -- Hannah Middleton, fashion business consultant and Knowledge Exchange Lead, London College of Fashion