Why Independents Are Struggling

I am Guilty ! I didn't support my local retailer !

You don't realise what you have until it's gone... I'm Sorry !!!

Gutted to hear one of THE best independent retailers in Leicester is to be no more !

Christopher Scotney was THE place to shop and get your designer gear back when I was in my early 20's, earning money and with no kids and mortgage all I had to do was invest it in Ralph Lauren and Hugo Boss gear, as young earners we used to love popping to Scotney's and spending our wages to look our best for the weekend...

BUT like many others, I am guilty of not shopping there anymore, and now, I feel partly responsible that independent stores like this are shutting down.

We can all blame eCommerce, and being too busy, but it's a sign of the times I guess.

My home town of Loughborough has had a recent mass exodus of retailers from the town centre, and it seems the effects of mobile retailing and "buy with one click" from apps such as Amazon are taking effect. I can't see which retailers will fill these vacant stores now ? Many of them are right in the heart of the town itself, and are prime retail, and yet have stood empty for over a year now. The rental cost of some is enough alone to put any local new retail entrepreneurs off even "giving it a go" and the large multiple retailers are shrinking their bricks and mortar estates.

You can search for the exact product on a mobile app, find it within seconds, price check it, order it all while walking into the coffee shop to order a skinny latte...

What you can't get from an app is that personal attention to detail, a knowledgeable staff member listening to what you want, and helping you find it, and then try it on...

So it is very sad to see Christopher Scotney, established in 1972, disapear in 2019. I guess we live in a different world now, and retailers simply need to evolve quickly

Fond memories, and once again "I am Sorry I didn't shop there"

What do YOU think ? Do YOU support your local independent retailers ? Do you go out of your way to put money in their pockets ? Or are you like me ? Live in fast paced world, smart device in your hands, one click and it will be delivered to your door, move on, grab coffee, do creative design work, next job.....

Love to here YOUR views and Comments .....