Hammerson expects 26% retail growth in nine years (No, really)

MAJOR* NEW REPORT REVEALS

‘AGE OF CONSIDERED CONSUMPTION’

• Sales growth to accelerate over next decade
• Overall store numbers to fall, but those which remain to be more important than ever
• The rise of smartphones and an ageing population will drive faster retail sales growth over the next decade, but only those retailers which succeed in remaining relevant for tomorrow’s consumer will benefit.

* [Well, they would say that, wouldn't they?]

"That’s the finding ['Those are the findings'...?] of a new report The Reshaping of Retail produced by respected retail consultant Conlumino, on behalf of leading retail property company Hammerson.

The report expects average annual growth in retail spending of 2.4% between 2013 and 2022, an improvement of the 1.9% achieved over the past decade. By 2022, retail spending will have reached £377bn, up 26% on current levels.

However, the rate of spending growth remains well down on that achieved through the 1980s and 1990s, and retailers will need to be on top of their game to thrive in what the report calls the age of ‘Considered Consumption’ over the decade ahead.

KEY FINDINGS:

• Consumer mindset to shift from ‘Careless Consumption’ to ‘Considered Consumption’
• Considered Consumption is an emerging mindset for shoppers, which is less impulse driven and more about selective purchasing
• Retail spend will be up 26% to £377bn by 2022 as discretionary spend is expected to rise
• The over 55s are expected to contribute towards 62% of retail growth (£46.7bn) by 2022
• By next year, 69% of consumers expected to use three or more channels to shop
• By 2020, mobile spend is set to be £53.9bn of direct and indirect sales, comparing to £2.9bn today
• 59% of consumers currently shop using click and collect
• Overall store numbers expected to decline by 10% by 2020
• The role of the store will still remain key, with a greater share of retail sales informed by online research.
[That's enough key findings.]

Hammerson Chief Executive David Atkins said:

"Considered consumption reflects a consumer who is less concerned with the pure acquisition of products, and thinks more about what they are buying. It makes it vital for retailers to have a strong, differentiated brand, offer 'must have' products, and engage more frequently with their customers to give them a reason to visit their stores”

"With an ageing population, much of the growth will be driven by older shoppers, meaning the over-55s will contribute nearly two-thirds of retail growth over the next decade.

"The report also predicts that mobile devices will account for over a quarter of retail sales by 2020 - some £54bn - partly through direct sales and partly through customers using their devices to research purchases in store or on the move. 

"While stores will retain a vital role, overall store numbers in the UK will decline by 10.3%. [We like the "point 3".]

"Increasingly, retailers will focus their expansion towards

major cities

and

destination shopping centres

[can't think where] which offer larger stores, good accessibility and a better choice of restaurants and cafés. 

"Stores will have to evolve, with their role in highlighting brand awareness, showcasing product offers and facilitating click and collect purchases growing in importance.

Neil Saunders, Managing Director, Conlumino said:

“Hammerson’s report reveals that Britain needs to rewrite the retail rules. Retailers must differentiate their ranges, engage more frequently with consumers and adapt their business model to a slower growth environment if they are to inspire, excite and compel shoppers in an era where consumers are calling the shots.”

David Atkins concluded:

“While such dramatic change in retail will inevitably present challenges to some, there is also a huge opportunity for those retailers which anticipate and meet the changing needs of customers.”

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Link to the (major) report (PDF)