FSP Retail Blog

Back to Bricks

Posted At : 06 July 2009 13:48

I note today that SockShop is heading back out of the ether with a physical store in Manchester Airport.

When Ruia Group bought the SockShop stock (a veritable tongue twister!) in 2006, the intention had always been to start opening stores in convenient locations, such as stations and airports, but it’s taken them three years to get that far. Might the crunch be making it easier to snap up the store location you need?

With all sales activity being done online in those three years, one might have thought that SockShop were ahead of the game in the evolution of e-tail. However, with nothing replacing the experience of feeling your purchase, even the hardened efficiency driven shopper likes to get out to the stores occasionally. SockShop management have recognised it’s not just clicks that matter, but a visible presence in bricks too. And what can be more highly visible than a presence in space where so many people pass through?

The FSP database which feeds SnapShop (no relation to SockShop!) shows that more than 150 retailers have announced expansion plans of some form so far this year. Demand on the High Street may be rising and remedial work may now commence on the gaping holes left by Woolworths et al!