We’re proud to kick off 2026 with a strong contribution to the industry conversation, as Richard Saunders and James Woodard share their insights in the latest issue of Retail & Leisure International.
In the first Retail Insight column of the year, Richard and James explore a theme that sits at the heart of the sector’s evolution: the need for greater human collaboration to keep the pulse of retail strong, responsive and future‑ready.
Despite the persistent narrative that “retail is dead”, their article makes a compelling case for the opposite. Retail remains something people love, want and need, but its long‑term success depends on more than quick fixes or prescriptive solutions.
Instead, they argue for a more intuitive, people‑centred approach that recognises retail as an organic part of wider social infrastructure.
Key themes from the article include:
- No one-size-fits-all solution: retail environments must be shaped around the specific needs, challenges and opportunities of each location.
- Retail cannot thrive in isolation: even the best-designed schemes struggle without strong transport links, housing, offices, hotels and other essential infrastructure.
- Placemaking is a shared responsibility: retailers alone cannot carry the burden of wider socioeconomic issues. Collaboration across landlords, councils, developers, industry bodies and government is essential.
- Designing with people in mind: the future of retail lies in understanding how people live, move and interact and ensuring retail spaces flex to meet those behaviours.
- A shift in narrative: it’s time to move away from doom‑laden headlines and toward constructive, collaborative conversations about how to help retail stand tall.
Richard and James call for a more joined‑up approach to planning and placemaking; one that brings together all stakeholders to co‑create retail environments that are vibrant, resilient and genuinely reflective of the communities they serve.
Their perspective sets a positive and pragmatic tone for the year ahead, and we’re delighted to see their expertise featured in such a respected industry publication.
Read their full article here: Retail Insight – The Future of In Person Retail | Retail & Leisure International
