The World Retail Congress heard last week that “apps have become the new high street”, but that the concept of the high street is nevertheless here to stay.
The three-day event held in London last week welcomed such high-profile speakers as Philip Clarke, CEO of Tesco and Sir Philip Green, Arcadia boss.
Clarke said: “Digital does not just offer smart new ways to shop. It gives us the opportunity for a warmer, more meaningful conversation with our customers, local communities, our colleagues and the suppliers who we work with…Consumers start to assign specific roles to specific retailers - their apps have become the new high street - personalised, digital and accessible.”
He told the audience that he expected one in five online orders at Tesco this Christmas to be made via mobile phones or tablets such as the iPad.
Meanwhile Sir Philip said: “It’s a competitive market place with too many shops.”
He acknowledged that in an ideal world a great retailer would have a small number of fantastic flagship stores, a few smaller stores in key locations, and an online business.
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