A new seminar on the town centre consumer will look at the impact and implications for the future of the high street.

To be held on June 18, the seminar focuses on the town centre consumer and the need to understand their behaviour, including physical and digital interactions within an evolving high street environment.

Bringing together industry perspectives and showcasing the latest research findings concerning town centre consumers, we will discuss the associated impact and implications for the future high street environment.

The aim is to encourage debate and identify directions and priorities for research to inform high street revitalisation strategies.    

To book your seat, please contact Ruth Cufflin E: r.cufflin@lboro.ac.uk

Seminar programme

10:30 – 11:00             

Arrival and refreshments

11:00 – 11.05               

Welcome address

Professor Angus Laing, Dean, School of Business and Economics, Loughborough University

11.05 – 11.15              

The importance of the town centre consumer

Cathy Hart, Town Centres Research Interest Group

11:15 – 11:30              

The evolving high street: How are town centre consumers and high street stakeholders responding?

Andy Godfrey, Alliance Boots

11:30 – 11:45              

Physical and digital interactions in the retail environment

Andy Stringer, Home Retail Group

11.45 - 12.15               

Developing a town centre consumer tool   

Cathy Hart and Lara Stocchi, Loughborough University

12.15 – 12.30              

Question and answer session

Facilitator: Martin Blackwell, Charity Retail Association

12:30 – 13:15              

LUNCH

13:15 – 13:35              

Driving the revitalisation of the high street through consumers as stakeholders

Michael Weedon, British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA)

13:35 – 13:55             

Consumer data is power

Matthew Hopkinson, Local Data Company

13:55 – 14:15              

Tracking consumer behaviour in town centres

Clive Hall, Indestinate

14.15 - 14.35               

Using digital insights to shape the high street

Guy Douglas, Digital High Street 

14:35 -14:50               

Question and answer session

Facilitator: Martin Blackwell, Charity Retail Association

14.50 -15.00                

Closing remarks: Opportunities and future research directions

Bruce Jackson, ESRC

15:00                            

Close: Refreshments and networking