On 21st November, over 200 professionals from the retail, leisure, property, and placemaking industries gathered at The Savoy for the Movers & Shakers Property Breakfast in association with Revo. The event explored The Future of UK Retail Assets and provided a packed agenda of thought-provoking market insights, essential discussions on safety for women and girls, and engaging networking opportunities.
The morning’s conversations addressed the following and more:
- Is the market data reflecting a “renewed sense of optimism”?
- Is the “blended-use class” model becoming the norm?
- What is driving people to these new-style destinations?
The insights and perspectives shared by industry leaders offered a hopeful outlook and actionable ideas to address both challenges and opportunities.
Key Highlights
Setting the Scene
Leigh Salter, Managing Director of Movers & Shakers, opened the morning with an overview of past and upcoming events. Guests indulged in a full English breakfast, using the opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces and establish new connections.
Market Insights: Positive Trends Amid Challenges
Mark Stansfield, Senior Director of UK Analytics at CoStar, presented an optimistic outlook on the retail market, highlighting:
- Resilience Amid Uncertainty: Despite budget-related uncertainty, 2024 has outperformed expectations, with inflation falling and retail sales growth turning positive.
- Physical Retail Gains Ground: Internet sales as a percentage of total retail sales have plateaued, signalling stabilisation. Retail take-up in Q3 2024 hit the highest levels since pre-pandemic times.
- Prime High Streets Revive: Locations like Oxford Street are seeing declining vacancy rates, and food-store-anchored retail centres remain resilient.
- Limited Development: While retail construction is at record lows, areas of undersupply present growth opportunities. Retail parks are maintaining value and seeing quick sales.
Stansfield acknowledged ongoing risks, such as inflation, geopolitics, and retailer profit margin pressures, emphasising the need for stability and clarity to foster sustainable growth.
Safety for Women & Girls in Urban Spaces
Susannah Walker, Co-Founder of Make Space for Girls, brought attention to a critical issue: ensuring safety in public and retail spaces for women and girls.
Walker called for:
- Gender mainstreaming in planning and urban design.
- Continuous evaluation of public spaces to cultivate a culture of safety.
- Active policy advocacy to prioritise inclusivity and joy in urban spaces.
Her message resonated deeply: “Our places and spaces must be safe, welcoming, inclusive, and a source of joy for everyone.”
Panel Discussion: Visionary Insights from Industry Leaders
The panel session, chaired by Anastasia Klein of Maples Teesdale, featured insights from:
- Allan Lockhart, CEO, NewRiver REIT
- James Rayner, Head of Retail, Related Argent
- Ellen Peters, Property Director UK&I, Lush Cosmetics
- Louise Duggan, Head of Regeneration & Growth Strategies, Greater London Authority
- Pablo Sueiras, Head of Brand Account Management, Landsec
Key themes included:
- The need for compelling and experiential destinations: Spaces must offer more than convenience, blending retail, leisure, and community experiences.
- Technology and sustainability as drivers of change: Panellists highlighted AI, data sharing, and renewable energy as critical tools for shaping resilient, future-proof spaces.
- Addressing macroeconomic challenges: Business rates, rising costs, and inconsistent government policies remain hurdles, but collaboration and innovation offer pathways forward.
Top insights included:
- “Retail is the largest private employer in the UK, and we must keep the momentum going by focusing on experience and purpose.”
- “Every destination must have a clear USP—understand, promote, and enhance it to drive footfall and engagement.”
- “Sustainability and ESG must remain at the forefront of all strategies. Collaboration is key to tackling emissions, efficiency, and equitable growth.”
Audience Interaction
During the session, the following question was asked by Kayley Buxton, Marketing & Events Director at Revo: What is a must-have for shopping destinations of the future?
Panellists agreed on several essentials:
- Clear purpose and narrative.
- Strong food and social offerings—elements AI cannot replace.
- Seamless integration of technology and sustainability – harnessing and enhancing experience.
Looking Ahead: 2025 and Beyond
The panel concluded with reflections on the challenges of 2024 and opportunities for 2025, emphasising the importance of human-centred, sustainable retail spaces.
Content Links:
- Market Insights Presentation – CoStar
- Make Space For Girls – Resources Library
- Handbook: Creating Places That Work For Women & Girls
The photo gallery is available HERE.
What’s Next?
Thank you to everyone who made this event a success! Don’t miss upcoming Revo and Movers & Shakers events in 2025.