Our 2034 Industry Insight Reveal, hosted in partnership with Landsec, delved into transformative themes shaping the future of retail, leisure, and placemaking. With introductions and an insight summary from Vivienne King (Impactful Places) and Dan Parr (CACI), the event featured thought-provoking contributions from Bruce Findlay (Landsec), Sarah Ratcliffe (Better Buildings Partnership), Dr. Suran Goonatilake OBE (University College London), Rebecca Morter (Lone Design Club), and Ellen Peters (LUSH Cosmetics), kindly moderated by Georgie Manly (Landsec).
Here’s a snapshot of the key takeaways:
Climate Change: A Call to Action
- The built environment must adapt to climate impacts like heat and flooding while embracing ESG values across physical spaces and public realms.
- Technology and data are crucial, enabling brands to make informed, impactful choices.
- Sustainability has become synonymous with brand value, with investors and customers driving this change.
- Innovations like the 5Rs of fashion and repair stations can position retailers as champions of sustainability.
AI: Transforming Every Sector
- AI is set to permeate the economy in the next five years, creating winners and losers while elevating curated, human-centred spaces.
- The value of personalisation—through tools like digital twins and body mapping surveys—is rising, though security concerns linger.
- AI is poised to revolutionise training and retail operations, freeing staff for customer engagement and enabling ultra-tailored experiences.
- Despite digital advances, there’s an enduring demand for human touch, fine craftsmanship, and experiential connections.
Retail: The Evolving Landscape
- Understanding the customer is more vital than ever, with retailers investing in experiences that anticipate needs.
- Physical spaces are transforming into sustainability badges, offering repair stations, recycling hubs, and loyalty-building interactions.
- AI is becoming the backbone of operations, streamlining admin while empowering staff to focus on sales and customer care.
- High streets are reclaiming their role as social epicenters, championing micro-retail and togetherness.
- Agility in leasing agreements fosters flexibility and two-way collaboration.
Key Insights from Industry Leaders
- Bruce Findlay emphasised how Landsec’s retail destinations like Bluewater are becoming resorts, prioritising experiences to engage their guests.
- Lush shared their focus on giving consumers what they need over what they want, bringing people-to-people interactions to the forefront and blending experience with transaction.
The future is clear: purposeful innovation, sustainability, and human connection will define our industry. Let’s build together for 2034 and beyond!
The photo gallery is available HERE.
The Insight Report
Attendees will receive a complimentary copy of the report. If you didn’t attend, you can purchase a hardback copy—email kayley@revocommunity.org for more information. Please note, no digital versions are available.
The Forces Driving Retail and Leisure Places in 2034 – Executive Summary
What’s Next?
Thank you to everyone who made this event a success! We have a whole host of events and content planned for 2025 as our community and partners Shape Tomorrow’s Places. Become a member or a subscriber today!