In recent times, with the dizzying rate of technological change, scientific advancement and the explosion of social media, change is the norm. However, one shift that needs to be stopped in its tracks is the dissolving of the High Street. Many shops have almost ceased to exist as an increasing number of us buy online.
Currently, one in seven shops in the UK lies empty and 5,500 are in danger of closure. No wonder, as this Christmas Britons spent a collective £13.5bn online. To put that in perspective, ten years ago we spent less than 10% of that.
It is predicted that we will see a sharp decline in retail shops on the High Street and an increase in practical shops that ‘do’ as opposed to sell, such as repairs shops. Is this really what we want? There are many reasons for us to hold onto the High Street, before we succumb to the existence of four walls and a laptop every Saturday.
Firstly, shopping has been proven to be good for you. A recent study, commissioned by Debenhams, found that the average woman burns 48,000 calories a year, which works out at 25 days’ worth of food. Not only that, but on average we cover 154 miles a year, too. So whatever damage we to to our savings accounts, we make up for it with the health benefits of shopping 
With stretching, lifting heavy bags and scouting out the competition over the sales rack, shopping is almost on par with Olympic sports. Reducing this to the click of a button will mean many women having to give up their weekly cake allowance.
All joking aside, high street shopping has so many benefits, including saving you time. Being able to see clothes in front of you, feel them and try them on means you’re less likely to return them a week later. According to a study conducted recently, up to 40% of clothing bought online is returned.
It may be quicker and easier to buy online, but trying clothes on is the only way to really know how something looks on you – whether the colour suits you and even if it fits you right. And to be honest, the compliments of commission–motivated sales assistants never go amiss do they?
High Street shopping is also safer, due to the risks of identity theft and credit card fraud that is ever more prevalent online.
As if that wasn’t enough to persuade you, academics have actually proved that shopping is associated with increased activity in the left prefrontal cortex, a part of the brain that has been linked to pleasure and positivity. Also, levels of dopamine in the brain are increased from mere window shopping.
Giving in to the ease of the internet is costing us an experience that many rely on as a weekend pick-me-up. The excitement of a sale, the smell of a shoe shop and the victorious taste of a good bargain may soon become extinct, and it’s up to the consumer to make sure it doesn’t.
