Retail sales figures are down, with an ongoing decline in sales of household goods, clothing and non-food store items, but retailers could address this and have higher in-person footfall if shops were more welcoming of a wider range of customers. 

Responding to the ONS data which shows a decline in monthly retail sales, Ailsa Forbes, International Longevity Centre UK (ILC) Research Fellow said:  

“The economic climate is tough but retailers could be doing much more to meet the needs of a wider range of customers. Many people now think twice about heading to the shops, and too many older adults say they aren’t able to shop in ways that work for them. A lack of seating, and no accessible toilets or staff available to help can turn what should be an enjoyable and social experience into a stressful outing. This should matter to retailers, especially as our population ages.” 

“Older households have significant spending power. By 2040, 63p in every pound will be spent by older households. However, instead of spending time on the high street, more older people are now staying at home to shop. Over 65% of people aged 65+ are shopping online. And while it’s great to see growing digital confidence among older age groups, this won’t replace the social and physical benefits of going to the shops.”  

“We’ve published a set of ‘healthy retail’ guides to share advice and information with retailers to support them to make small changes which can make a big difference to in-person shopping experiences for everyone, and enable retailers to play their part in building thriving healthy communities.. They include ways to make shopping spaces more accessible and opportunities to improve customer service. There is a strong business case for retailers to take action to encourage customers at every age and stage to feel welcome. Those that innovate and adapt to our changing society will benefit.” 

Ends 

Contact 

ILC – Press@ilcuk.org.uk or +44 (0)7807 231 432+44 or (0) 7736 124 096. Spokespeople are available on request. 

Notes 

The ILC’s Retail Impact Project aims to demonstrate that retailers could thrive – not just survive – if they adapt to the opportunities of an ageing society. The work is supported by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)’s Healthy Ageing Challenge and Stirling University. 

The ILC’s Retail Impact Fellow, Ailsa Forbes, has produced five guides to support retailers to innovate and adopt best practice. The guides cover Accessibility, Healthy Workforce, Healthy Customer Service, Healthy Retail Environment and Healthier Choices. 

More information about the project and copies of the guides can be downloaded from www.healthyretail.org 

Sources 

Office for National Statistics (ONS) Retail sales, Great Britain: September 2023 https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/retailindustry/bulletins/retailsales/september2023 

The ILC projected that spending by older consumers will rise from 54% (£319 billion) of total consumer spending in 2018 to 63% by 2040 (£550 billion). https://ilcuk.org.uk/maximising-the-longevity-dividend/ 

Office for National Statistics (ONS), Family spending workbook 1: detailed expenditure and trends. Release date: 31 May 2023. Family spending workbook 1: detailed expenditure and trends – Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)