Transcript
A (0:00)
New research suggests that Gen Z will redefine Britain's high streets into social tech driven hubs by 2050, according to the Retail Gazette and to New Retail 2050 research from American Express conducted in partnership with Futures consultancy Trajectory. Success on the high street will depend not just on what businesses sell, but on quote, how they make consumers feel. Blending technology experience and community into every visit. End quote. For Gen Z, the high street visit is about far more than shopping, says study. Two thirds or 65% say each trip should deliver something they can't get online, while nearly 4 and 5, 79% want future retail destinations to blend shopping with dining, drinking and leisure. Three quarters or 76% of Gen Z believe retailers should use AI to create more immersive in store experiences, while 60% say they would be more likely to visit shops offering digital trons or AI generated stuff. Styling advice. Lisa, you were just in London so we're gonna go to you on this one. Are you buying or selling? The evolution of Britain's high streets into social tech driven hubs by 2050.
B (1:09)
I have to say when I first read the headline, my first immediate reaction was no way. Like, that was my immediate, like quick reaction. And then as I thought about it and I stepped back, I was just in London, I, I moved my dog, my youngest daughter over there to do a master's program for a year. I thought New York was the city that didn't sleep. But London, I don't know, it may have something on New York. It sits pretty heavy traffic over there and crazy at all times. But as I stepped back and thought about it and really loved all the statistics in the article because it's true, I do think the Gen Z is demanding experiential, they're demanding connection points where they want to meet up and go together. It's kind of going to have to, I think replace what the mall was to the boomers. Right. If you think about it now, Gen Z wants to be on the high street. They want to be social. I think that they're going to want to have, they're going to have to want people, make people want to go there because it is a trip, right? And I think it is going to happen. I do, I mean and as I stepped back and thought about it, I go, okay, 2050, that is a while from now. So I'm pretty sure they can figure out how to make it happen. But I think they're going to have to do it to keep the real estate prices in check.
A (2:34)
Yeah, well, at least how would you be advising brands, especially having your background working for some large, large brands, especially in the fashion and apparel space, how would you be advising them to start thinking about this? Where would you be telling them to invest as they're trying to, like, build this strategy for 2050?
B (2:53)
