Will Christmas save the high street? − John Cassar White

Many retail analysts have prematurely written the obituaries of high street in-person shopping malls. Online shopping now accounts for almost a third of retail sales in counties like the UK. The pandemic was expected to be the final blow for physical retail shops. Consumers found it more convenient to shop online rather than risk being infected by mingling with other people in the high street.

The declining impact of the medical emergency on people’s movements should have signalled a desire of consumers to put the frustrating lockdown behind them and shop till they drop. This to some extent is happening. Research by consultancy firm Accenture suggests that 70 per cent of Gen Z customers plan to make most of their holiday purchases in-store. However, 54 per cent of Baby Boomers plan to buy primarily online.

Younger consumers obsessed with not being able to buy the latest gizmos because of a fear of supply shortages would rather physically pick up items than risk shipping delays. Undoubtedly, they must miss the long phase of limited socialising during the pandemic and would rather get out and do things with their mates.

But the challenges facing high street retail outlets predate...