ABSTRACT
The decline of retail should rather be phrased as the decline of sales in physical retail stores, their relevance to consumers decreasing to the point of retail brands closing stores or even going entirely out of business. If one takes a look at the evolution of retail and not at least how its role changes in the life story of their audiences, one can start identifying areas in which the detachment between retail and customers has been building since before the internet sales boom. The focus for retail has to be more about the retail experience. From the user experience of online shopping to the visitor experience of going to a store, shopping is more than the purchase of goods. One of the critical elements in retail is the anchors, the stores and spaces that draw in customers. In the world of retail, measurements and accountabilities drive business.
