Mary Portas
Mary Portas, Queen Of Shops
Retail guru Mary Portas, 46, is known for her troubleshooting BBC TV series Mary, Queen Of Shops.
Slow shopping will replace fast shopping. The thinking person will turn their back on throwaway fashion. Women will prioritise quality, and be happy to save for a classic piece that endures. Taking time over decisions will become relevant to the way we live, buy and dress.
Specialist shops will thrive. When the world becomes a rocky place, people don’t want “big” because it’s too overwhelming. Instead, we’ll see the return of specialist boutiques that we can rely on.
The 35-plus market will be a key target. The obsession with youth and the 18 to 25-year-old market will wane. I would love to create a brilliant brand that is dedicated to the modern, sexy, 40-something woman, making her feel looked after and understood.
Good service will be vital. While money is short, we want to feel good about parting with it, so will refuse to buy from sales assistants who ignore us.
Charity shops will have a role – if they change. In my next television series I’m helping transform charity stores into must-stop shops, as a response to people becoming more aware about how they’re spending.
Competing with the Internet means shopping must be a fun experience. For example, I can go to the west London shopping centre, Westfield, to shop, see a movie and eat. It’s about connecting with people’s lives to cater for all their needs and make it fun.
The financial crisis will force retailers to approach selling to women in a different way. By 2011, we will see healthier, more confident faces out on the high street that will bring us exactly what we want.
