Opinion: The Decline Of Downtown Retail
11/12/23 • 12 min
Craig and Lee delve into the intricate dynamics of downtown retail, honing in on the specific case of Edmonton in this episode of The Weekly by Retail Insider. Craig, having traversed the diverse retail landscapes from Vancouver to San Francisco, shares insights on the stark contrast between the vibrancy of suburban shopping centers and the decline of downtown cores. The conversation unfolds with a critical examination of factors such as the historical shift from downtown to suburbs post-World War II, the impact of major retailers like Walmart and Amazon, and the surprising downturn of once-thriving downtowns like Edmonton.
The duo scrutinizes Edmonton's downtown, noting the challenges of parking, increasing costs, and a lack of vibrancy. Craig's firsthand experience paints a vivid picture of the transformation from a bustling retail hub in the '80s and '90s to a quieter, less inviting space today. The podcast explores the broader trend in Canadian cities, drawing parallels between Edmonton and other urban centers like Winnipeg, Ottawa, and even smaller cities like Regina and Saskatoon, which have managed to maintain downtown retail vibrancy. The episode concludes with a reflection on potential solutions, from urban planning initiatives to the role of pedestrians in downtown spaces, leaving listeners pondering the future of retail landscapes in Canadian cities.
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- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/CraigPattersonToronto
- Instagram: @craig_patterson_toronto
- Twitter: @RI_EIC
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- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/Retail-Insider
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RetailInsider/
- Twitter: @RetailInsider_
- Instagram: @Retail_Insider_Canada
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Background Music Credit: Hard Boiled Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Craig and Lee delve into the intricate dynamics of downtown retail, honing in on the specific case of Edmonton in this episode of The Weekly by Retail Insider. Craig, having traversed the diverse retail landscapes from Vancouver to San Francisco, shares insights on the stark contrast between the vibrancy of suburban shopping centers and the decline of downtown cores. The conversation unfolds with a critical examination of factors such as the historical shift from downtown to suburbs post-World War II, the impact of major retailers like Walmart and Amazon, and the surprising downturn of once-thriving downtowns like Edmonton.
The duo scrutinizes Edmonton's downtown, noting the challenges of parking, increasing costs, and a lack of vibrancy. Craig's firsthand experience paints a vivid picture of the transformation from a bustling retail hub in the '80s and '90s to a quieter, less inviting space today. The podcast explores the broader trend in Canadian cities, drawing parallels between Edmonton and other urban centers like Winnipeg, Ottawa, and even smaller cities like Regina and Saskatoon, which have managed to maintain downtown retail vibrancy. The episode concludes with a reflection on potential solutions, from urban planning initiatives to the role of pedestrians in downtown spaces, leaving listeners pondering the future of retail landscapes in Canadian cities.
Subscribe, Rate, and Review our Retail Insider Podcast!
Follow Craig:
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/CraigPattersonToronto
- Instagram: @craig_patterson_toronto
- Twitter: @RI_EIC
Follow Retail Insider:
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/Retail-Insider
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RetailInsider/
- Twitter: @RetailInsider_
- Instagram: @Retail_Insider_Canada
Listen & Subscribe:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Overcast
- Stitcher
Share your thoughts!
Drop us a line at [email protected]. You can also rate us in Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show!
Background Music Credit: Hard Boiled Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Previous Episode
Opinion: Canadian Jewelry Trends and Insights
Craig and Lee discuss Craig’s recent talk at the Canadian Jewellers Association Summit in Vancouver. They delve into emerging trends in the Canadian jewellery industry, including the growing presence of luxury brands and the shift towards direct-to-consumer retail.
They also consider the impact of a potential recession on consumer sentiment, particularly among the wealthy. The discussion emphasizes the significance of creating a captivating in-store environment for jewellery retailers, as high-end jewellery purchases often involve a curated and immersive experience. Furthermore, they touch upon the changing dynamics of Chinese tour groups and how their absence, due to geopolitical reasons, affects the retail landscape in Canada.
Despite the challenges, they highlight the positive impact of other visitors who come to Canada for various reasons, boosting the retail industry, especially in cities like Vancouver and Toronto. Overall, the conversation provides insights into the evolving Canadian jewellery retail landscape and the factors shaping its future.
Subscribe, Rate, and Review our Retail Insider Podcast!
Follow Craig:
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/CraigPattersonToronto
- Instagram: @craig_patterson_toronto
- Twitter: @RI_EIC
Follow Retail Insider:
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/Retail-Insider
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RetailInsider/
- Twitter: @RetailInsider_
- Instagram: @Retail_Insider_Canada
Listen & Subscribe:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Overcast
- Stitcher
Share your thoughts!
Drop us a line at [email protected]. You can also rate us in Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show!
Background Music Credit: Hard Boiled Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Next Episode
Opinion: Vancouver and San Francisco Retail
Craig and Lee delve into a detailed comparison of the retail landscapes in Vancouver and San Francisco. The discussion starts with the alarming number of store closures in San Francisco, where Market Street and Union Square. Vancouver seems to be more resilient in this regard, especially in popular areas like Robson Street and Granville Street. The conversation takes a somber turn as they address the issue of poverty and homelessness which is more concentrated in Vancouver, notably in the Downtown East Side, leading to challenges for retailers in the area.
The dialogue transitions to the topic of retail crime, with both cities grappling with theft and shoplifting problems. San Francisco’s retail crime appears to be more brazen, while Vancouver is not immune to these issues. The situation has led to a coalition in British Columbia to address these challenges, impacting retailers of all sizes. Despite these hurdles, high-end retailers in San Francisco’s Union Square area are reported to be thriving, highlighting the persistence of luxury brands given the wealth in the city. Both cities offer a unique shopping experience, with San Francisco featuring a wide range of luxury boutiques and Vancouver ranking as the second-best city for luxury shopping in Canada, with continued growth potential.
The discussion concludes with a visit to Gastown and the Woodward’s atrium, highlighting the architectural and historical significance of the area. While they appreciate the unique elements, the hosts acknowledge the challenges posed by addiction and homelessness. Despite these difficulties, they hope for positive change in the future and emphasize the importance of discussing and addressing these issues in the retail context.
Subscribe, Rate, and Review our Retail Insider Podcast!
Follow Craig:
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/CraigPattersonToronto
- Instagram: @craig_patterson_toronto
- Twitter: @RI_EIC
Follow Retail Insider:
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/Retail-Insider
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RetailInsider/
- Twitter: @RetailInsider_
- Instagram: @Retail_Insider_Canada
Listen & Subscribe:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Overcast
- Stitcher
Share your thoughts!
Drop us a line at [email protected]. You can also rate us in Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show!
Background Music Credit: Hard Boiled Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
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