Five bricks and mortar players who are dispelling the retail apocalypse myth

RTIH is taking a stand against all the ‘high street is dead’ mainstream media headlines. Last month, we showcased five tech-savvy companies reinventing physical retail for a digital age and ran a follow up piece. You liked the articles so much that we decided to round up on a regular basis retailers who are keeping the bricks and mortar dream alive.

1. M&S

M&S has expanded its Mobile Pay Go technology to 50 stores, following a trial across Edgware Road, Bankside, Waterside Paddington, West Hampstead, Canary Wharf and Stratford Westfield in London.

2. Staples

Staples has taken the wraps off Staples Connect, a store with co-working, podcasting and community event spaces for professionals, teachers and students.

3. SPAR, Londis, Warner’s Budgens, Co-op

Mobile tech startup Ubamarket has overhauled its scan, pay and go app.

The previous iteration of its offering is currently in use in several SPAR, Londis and Warner's Budgens stores across the UK and Ireland. The next generation app is also set to be adopted by a number of Co-Op stores.

4. Selfridges

Selfridges is hosting rental platform HURR in its Contemporary Studio. For the next six months, HURR, will sit in Selfridges' Oxford Street store with a curated 200 pieces available to try on and rent for four to eight days for any occasion.

5. Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury’s has taken the wraps off its new On the Go city convenience store format. The retailer’s 2,200 sq ft Mansion House store in London’s Square Mile is the first to go live.