Hi Ian...I don’t know the retail scene in Edinburgh so well, but this certainly echoes what’s happening across other major cities. Take London as another example, where Oxford Street was ‘the shopping street’ but is now a tired old version of its former self, infected by the candy store plague, versus Covent Garden, a vibrant and thriving centre where smaller brands are opening flagship stores. If it wasn’t for Selfridges would anyone even, go to Oxford Street?
Linking this back to your previous post ‘Experience matters’, what is it that attracts so many customers to Selfridges? Surely, it’s the retail experience, as almost all the brands are accessible elsewhere. As well as having the iconic yellow bag, Selfridges creates a unique buzz and excitement that gives a compelling reason to visit the physical store. That compelling reason to visit can be great products or great service, but ideally both.
Thanks Paul, entirely agree with that - the comparison between Princes St and Oxford St is a striking one. Opinions vary widely about the solution for both of them, but part of the challenge is going to be disparate landlords - the comparison with Regent St, for example, largely owned by the Crown Estate is interesting.
Hi Ian...I don’t know the retail scene in Edinburgh so well, but this certainly echoes what’s happening across other major cities. Take London as another example, where Oxford Street was ‘the shopping street’ but is now a tired old version of its former self, infected by the candy store plague, versus Covent Garden, a vibrant and thriving centre where smaller brands are opening flagship stores. If it wasn’t for Selfridges would anyone even, go to Oxford Street?
Linking this back to your previous post ‘Experience matters’, what is it that attracts so many customers to Selfridges? Surely, it’s the retail experience, as almost all the brands are accessible elsewhere. As well as having the iconic yellow bag, Selfridges creates a unique buzz and excitement that gives a compelling reason to visit the physical store. That compelling reason to visit can be great products or great service, but ideally both.
Thanks Paul, entirely agree with that - the comparison between Princes St and Oxford St is a striking one. Opinions vary widely about the solution for both of them, but part of the challenge is going to be disparate landlords - the comparison with Regent St, for example, largely owned by the Crown Estate is interesting.