The Future of Retailing: A Design Perspective

We are delighted to offer this exciting event designed for colleagues with an interest in retailing, consumption, place marketing and services.

The late 20th century saw rapid growth in consumption and the expansion of retailing and services. This was reflected in the vast number and type of stores and locations across the UK. From regional shopping malls and out-of-town superstores to concept and flagship stores, retail design became an essential part of its success.

This was done by creating distinctive brands and formats but no trend lasts forever and now, thanks to the economic recession and competition for consumer goods from the developing world, it’s time for a re-assessment of the growth-led conventions of the retail industry.

As online competition, higher rates and increases on import charges all conspire to form the ‘perfect storm’ on the high street – how can the retail sector fight back? Their traditional response has been price-led promotions but what if, through design, they could tackle it in another way?

This event will look at how design solutions can help the retail sector tackle their challenges and will be led by Professor Anthony Kent (Nottingham Trent University), editor of ‘Retail Design: Theoretical Perspectives’ (2017).

Professor Kent will examine design solutions in retailing and look to a future that converges online and offline worlds as well as changing patterns of use, re-use and ownership of retail spaces and buildings.

Learning outcomes of the event will be an ability to describe retail and service design, to analyse the contribution of design to the differentiation of retail store brands and to evaluate the possibilities of designed store environments in the future.