I've seen comments on here blaming a swing towards online retail as the reason why shopping centres are failing. Not an expert but I think that the online retail growth hasn't been exceptional: it has been big enough to destabalise the status quo but as one factor alongside many others. Financing was the main reason House of Fraser was bought up by Sports Direct while Debenhams fell. Supermarkets contributed heavily to the reduction in quality and accesibility of local shops. Under investment in public transport and 'active travel' routes have made getting to the shops a chore. |