Yes, net impact as it stands in the UK is that we lose five stores per day; but this analyst would be interested to see that figure as a percentage of NET RETAIL SELLING SPACE rather than a pure number of stores opened or closed. There is still development in new shopping centres, and many of these are bigger than the footprint found typically on a high street.

Yes, many town and city centres look increasingly neglected as their retail units stand shuttered and forlorn; but this is surely down to the lack of desire to embrace new ways of taxing businesses and as such, our Government and to a lesser extent, local Governments must bear this particular burden. Retailers can do nothing about this.

And, yes, consumer confidence is a little shaky because of doubt in the UK economy, thanks mainly to the ongoing uncertainty around Brexit. But April this year saw the first time the average wage growth had risen above inflation for over a year. This could signal an uptick in our economy and bring with it a much-needed break from ‘austerity measures’ in our households if not the country.

But. There is a wealth of references in this blog and they all point to the same conclusion: If Retailers are to continue to grow and thrive, then it is the ones who can most effortlessly navigate the changes that embrace a unified online and physical presence who will win out.

If stores can exploit their unique selling points of sensory stimulation – touch, sight, smell – and instant gratification, then increasingly the physical business could leverage the ’shopping experience’ with a little imagination and a budget for creativity. By embracing digital technology, with apps and offers and slicker delivery service offerings, then they can ensure that their brand is just as familiar in the cyberworld as it is in the real world.

Whilst there may still be trouble ahead in terms of economy, it is surely an exciting time to be a blue-sky thinker in Retail.