With the rise of e-commerce, many retailers are underestimating the role of their bricks and mortar estates. Indeed, Marks & Spencer chief executive Marc Bolland recently said that "online has replaced Marble Arch as our flagship store" – a bold claim that others would be foolish to take to heart as the way forward. The store still holds significant value for retailers. The issue is how they view the store environment.
Brands fail to notice a store's potential because they approach it in the same way as any other sales....