How to fall in love with your local high street

Retail expert Dr Sarah Montano leads a lively panel of retailers and consumers to debate how we can fall in love with our local high street.

Currently the retail sector is facing many major challenges.

After a period of growing online sales, the pandemic has led consumers to shop locally and rediscover their local shopping areas due to travel restrictions. However, as consumers seek to manage the cost of living, they are returning to their local multi-national retailers e.g. ALDI and LIDL (often known as ‘glocal’), threatening the independent retail high street revival.

Retail expert Dr Sarah Montano from the University of Birmingham, will host a 90-minute online debate exploring the challenges faced by local retailers and consumers in the post-Covid economy.

The debate will feature a panel of retail experts that include:

• Alexandra Forrest - Presenter and producer of the retail podcast 'Independent Thinking'
• Rebecca Taylor - Creative Content Marketer
• Jeanette Bell - Co-founder of the Clean Kilo zero waste supermarket

This discussion is open to the general public and will be of interest to anyone concerned about the diversity of retail options in their local area. We welcome those with the power to influence change, such as local councillors, as well as independent retailers and business owners. This event is not just focused on theoretical propositions, but rather seeks to explore the current challenges and propose practical solutions.

This event will be hosted on Zoom and will provide a platform for audience participation. Attendees are encouraged to consider topics such as: 

1. Why do consumers want, or not want to shop locally?
2. How can local government stimulate local consumer demand?
3. How can we encourage new retail start-ups in our local area?
4. How can we practice responsible retail whilst seeking best value?

Anyone is welcome to attend. Free online registration required.