How can physical and online retail live side-by-side?

As the national lockdown ends, and the UK government promises a substantial return to normality by Easter, the big question for retail is what “normal” even looks like anymore. The panel discussed:

• Is the shift to online permanent for the millions who had never used the internet to shop before?
• What does the future hold for the high street that doesn’t have any shops on it, or the people they used to employ?
• What position, if any, should the government take on encouraging physical retail?
• How can cities re-imagine their retail spaces to embrace the new post-covid world?

Our panel consisted of:

• Emma Bridgewater, founder of her eponymous ceramics firm
• Archie Norman, chairman of M&S
• Laura Citron, CEO of London & Partners, the London Mayor’s trade promotion and investment agency

The discussion was chaired by Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, the co-founder and managing director of Global Counsel.