Internet Freezes Out High-Street
Online shopping seems to have taken the high-street stores into slight recession, successfully making massive profit on the internet, while the traditional high-street suffers. What does this mean for Winchester’s high-street stores, can they compete with the World Wide Web, or are they dwindling under the click of a mouse?
The internet seems the more convenient place to purchase things from food to CD’s, boasting a 350% increase of online shopping in the past 5 years, according to an IRGM study. Another study by retail analyst Verdict Research has found that, for the first time in twenty years the amount of money spent by families in the high street has fallen. Total spending on the high street dipped to £122billion as online spending increased to £8billion. With high-profile stores such as HMV, Tescos, River Island and more all offering a service on the internet, as well as within the city centre, it seems that more people find the internet a better way to shop.
With online shopping booming around the UK, Winchester have changed their outlook on grocery stores in the city. Retailers also responded to stricter planning controls by changing their trading formats. For example, some major food operators have introduced smaller store formats capable of being accommodated within town centers, such as the Tesco Metro and Sainsbury Central/Local store formats. Stores efforts to place smaller centres in the city were to underline convenience, allowing customers to shop for other needs, as well as grocery shopping. Sainsbury and Iceland in the city are purposely situated near the bus/taxi stops to increase the convenience of the customer. The matter of convenience was a major fact of the initial boom of internet shopping, as many people would prefer home delivery than hauling carrier bags about. Online prices are also a huge factor for purchasing goods, as site such as Play and Amazon offering free delivery, and lower prices on many products, and usually have an increased availability on products, ranging from CD’s, books, DVDs, and games. Retail stores such as HMV and WHSmith in the city centre are the main target area affected.
Craig Lynch (21), a student at the University of Winchester stated he preferred to click away his earnings, with the main benefactor being ‘highly convenient to have goods delivered to your door, rather than carry bags around all day.’ Another student Daniel Callan (19) said ’more often that not, the products online are cheaper than high-street retailers.’
It appears that the passion for street shopping sprees are second best behind the power of technology. However a silver lining emerges, as ‘the high-street offers the option of seeing clothes properly, such as how they fit, and what outfits looks like before you buy them. Also shopping is fun!’ stated Stevie-Anne Porter, a sales-assistant at GAP clothing stores.
Although its seems that high-street stores are staring into a bleak future, a glimmer of hope radiates through traditional views, and values. But is this enough to save the high-street?
