2020 Retailers in trouble thread
Discussion
I actually think the towns around larger cities might fare better than the cities themselves (though probably still down). I think we'll see an increase in co-working spaces in provincial towns purely because not everyone has a suitable area at home to work, or they wish to maintain a more regimented work day.
It might be a good time for we-work to pivot on their business model, away from big cities and expensive offices, instead to smaller towns and cities but with the same service. They could probably get 80-90% of the same membership prices but at rents of 40-50% of what they're paying in the bit cities.
It might be a good time for we-work to pivot on their business model, away from big cities and expensive offices, instead to smaller towns and cities but with the same service. They could probably get 80-90% of the same membership prices but at rents of 40-50% of what they're paying in the bit cities.
jammy-git said:
I actually think the towns around larger cities might fare better than the cities themselves (though probably still down). I think we'll see an increase in co-working spaces in provincial towns purely because not everyone has a suitable area at home to work, or they wish to maintain a more regimented work day.
It might be a good time for we-work to pivot on their business model, away from big cities and expensive offices, instead to smaller towns and cities but with the same service. They could probably get 80-90% of the same membership prices but at rents of 40-50% of what they're paying in the bit cities.
Birmingham City Centre was pretty dead on Saturday. It's still like a ghost town in the business district where most of the higher end bars etc are.It might be a good time for we-work to pivot on their business model, away from big cities and expensive offices, instead to smaller towns and cities but with the same service. They could probably get 80-90% of the same membership prices but at rents of 40-50% of what they're paying in the bit cities.
Friends in the suburbs of the city all said the pubs were busy in their areas, so I think you might be right.
It feels like the 90s again here.
Welshbeef said:
As you say 20% could kill so many businesses and really that only needs those who can WFH to only WFH 4 days a week less than that it gets harder and harder and harder.
I wonder if now is seriously the time for genuine consideration of Universal income.
Isn't furlough the first tentative steps towards this idea?I wonder if now is seriously the time for genuine consideration of Universal income.
Andrew Yang's 2020 presidential campaign was built around the idea of a Universal Income of $1000 a month for every body 18 years and over.
Basically he is saying :
"The five most common jobs in the economy:
1. Administrative and Clerical Work
2. Retail Work
3. Food Service and Food Prep
4. Trucking Driving and Transportation
5. Manufacturing
This is about half of all jobs many of which will be hit hard by automation. We are not prepared."
Over the next 30 years the majority of these jobs will be automated or just disappear, what are these people supposed to do instead? Most likely they will be paid some sort of universal income to stay home all day taking anti depressants.
Unless you are smart you are more and more likely to find yourself essentially unemployable.
Saweep said:
Birmingham City Centre was pretty dead on Saturday. It's still like a ghost town in the business district where most of the higher end bars etc are.
Friends in the suburbs of the city all said the pubs were busy in their areas, so I think you might be right.
It feels like the 90s again here.
If it feels like 90’s again and it hasn’t really begun as yet this will be monumental. Friends in the suburbs of the city all said the pubs were busy in their areas, so I think you might be right.
It feels like the 90s again here.
Joey Deacon said:
Isn't furlough the first tentative steps towards this idea?
Andrew Yang's 2020 presidential campaign was built around the idea of a Universal Income of $1000 a month for every body 18 years and over.
Basically he is saying :
"The five most common jobs in the economy:
1. Administrative and Clerical Work
2. Retail Work
3. Food Service and Food Prep
4. Trucking Driving and Transportation
5. Manufacturing
This is about half of all jobs many of which will be hit hard by automation. We are not prepared."
Over the next 30 years the majority of these jobs will be automated or just disappear, what are these people supposed to do instead? Most likely they will be paid some sort of universal income to stay home all day taking anti depressants.
Unless you are smart you are more and more likely to find yourself essentially unemployable.
Actually I think the more menial jobs will remain. For instance, the technology to flip and serve burgers in MaccyDs has already been around for years and if any business has the means to profit from such a change, it would definitely be them, but we've not seen that change, because it's more profitable to have school leavers on minimum wage rather than the costs of developing, implementing and maintaining robots. Almost certainly the same with cleaners, retail workers, clothes manufacturing.Andrew Yang's 2020 presidential campaign was built around the idea of a Universal Income of $1000 a month for every body 18 years and over.
Basically he is saying :
"The five most common jobs in the economy:
1. Administrative and Clerical Work
2. Retail Work
3. Food Service and Food Prep
4. Trucking Driving and Transportation
5. Manufacturing
This is about half of all jobs many of which will be hit hard by automation. We are not prepared."
Over the next 30 years the majority of these jobs will be automated or just disappear, what are these people supposed to do instead? Most likely they will be paid some sort of universal income to stay home all day taking anti depressants.
Unless you are smart you are more and more likely to find yourself essentially unemployable.
If the US or EU ever implemented a much higher basic or living wage, the scenario might change, but I think we're still a long, LONG way off having every low paid job replaced by automation or robots.
But I think we're absolutely going to start seeing a reversal of the trend of hundreds of years of jobs moving from the country to the city. Especially once 5G and Musks satellite internet hits.
BMW A6 said:
We should set-up a racing series for the elderly in mobility scooters in our town centres.
That would get me back onto the high street, as a spectator, and shop customer.
How about participating?That would get me back onto the high street, as a spectator, and shop customer.
https://youtu.be/i2D2fP6yBzU
Lentilist said:
jammy-git said:
I actually think the towns around larger cities might fare better than the cities themselves (though probably still down). I think we'll see an increase in co-working spaces in provincial towns purely because not everyone has a suitable area at home to work, or they wish to maintain a more regimented work day.
It might be a good time for we-work to pivot on their business model, away from big cities and expensive offices, instead to smaller towns and cities but with the same service. They could probably get 80-90% of the same membership prices but at rents of 40-50% of what they're paying in the bit cities.
Was having this discussion last night. I used to commute from Northampton to London every day, but experience during lockdown has shown that, with a bit of adjustment, the bulk of what I do can be done remotely. I've cut up the annual season (which felt very odd!) and am currently discussing shifting to being home based with occasional days in the office as and when needed. I have home office space of a sort, but there are times when not working literally from home can be useful, and it is sometime hard to maintain focus. I also miss being able to go for a wander or sitting in a coffee shop. Given all the vacant retail space even before Covid (we lost M&S and BHS), there's definitely scope for co-working / training / meeting / studying spaces in the town centre. Town and city centres need to find as many reasons as possible for people to visit them, not just shopping, so more flexible work space could be part of the solution.It might be a good time for we-work to pivot on their business model, away from big cities and expensive offices, instead to smaller towns and cities but with the same service. They could probably get 80-90% of the same membership prices but at rents of 40-50% of what they're paying in the bit cities.
jammy-git said:
So I run a web dev agency in Canterbury. For years now we've (mostly) been based in a co-working office in the centre of town. We do 3 days from the office and 2 days WFH and I feel like it's the perfect balance for me. I (used to) use the park and ride, which keeps parking costs down. I get to socialise and get out of the house, enjoy a nice lunch every so often, etc. But at the same time I appreciate being at home, being able to get some chores done (washing, etc) without it interrupting work and giving me more time at the weekend to enjoy myself. I can see A LOT of office workers eventually finding a similar balance.
There was a good video about this the other day, essentially your role (and my similar one) are classed as knowledge jobs and each job supports 9 others in its vicinity (barbers, sandwich shops etc)My pattern has already changed to what you've suggested my local high street is getting the money I previously spent in Shoreditch
jammy-git said:
So I run a web dev agency in Canterbury. For years now we've (mostly) been based in a co-working office in the centre of town. We do 3 days from the office and 2 days WFH and I feel like it's the perfect balance for me. I (used to) use the park and ride, which keeps parking costs down. I get to socialise and get out of the house, enjoy a nice lunch every so often, etc. But at the same time I appreciate being at home, being able to get some chores done (washing, etc) without it interrupting work and giving me more time at the weekend to enjoy myself. I can see A LOT of office workers eventually finding a similar balance.
I know a number on our street who have now cancelled their 6 times a year window clear. They were due the other week but due to Covid and bad weather last clean was Nov19. So in the covid time we’ve all started to do it ourselves - for whatever reason it’s very therapeutic. To us that’s £60 x 6 so £360 a year saved + the additional exercise it gives + we’ve all had the kit just sat in the garage so using it.
Sadly window cleaner now doesn’t have these houses on his round (must be at least 8 houses I know who used him (great chap) will not be needing that again so that’s not far off £3k income loss.
Welshbeef said:
I know a number on our street who have now cancelled their 6 times a year window clear.
They were due the other week but due to Covid and bad weather last clean was Nov19. So in the covid time we’ve all started to do it ourselves - for whatever reason it’s very therapeutic. To us that’s £60 x 6 so £360 a year saved + the additional exercise it gives + we’ve all had the kit just sat in the garage so using it.
Sadly window cleaner now doesn’t have these houses on his round (must be at least 8 houses I know who used him (great chap) will not be needing that again so that’s not far off £3k income loss.
£60? I complain at £15....They were due the other week but due to Covid and bad weather last clean was Nov19. So in the covid time we’ve all started to do it ourselves - for whatever reason it’s very therapeutic. To us that’s £60 x 6 so £360 a year saved + the additional exercise it gives + we’ve all had the kit just sat in the garage so using it.
Sadly window cleaner now doesn’t have these houses on his round (must be at least 8 houses I know who used him (great chap) will not be needing that again so that’s not far off £3k income loss.
steveo3002 said:
eldar said:
I had to go to my bank branch today, for the first time in months. Not only a huge queue of elderly people wanting to cash a cheque for £30, because cash machines will give you Covid, but the only people Shopping were again elderly, mostly in mobility scooters.
Very strange experience.
older people dont like computers /internet banking /internet shopping etcVery strange experience.
During lock down we've delivered loads to oldies who've now dabbled with online shopping and found buying clothes is quite easy .
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