{$inpagemarkup}

Search News

Results: 91-100 of 657


Crickhowell’s Book-ish crowned best independent bookshop in UK and Ireland

28 May 2024

 A Powys bookshop has been named as the best independent in the UK and Ireland.
Read more…

Election 2024: what does the indie retail sector want from the next government?

28 May 2024

With a general election just weeks away, Andrew Goodacre, CEO of the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has placed “reducing the cost of doing business” high on his... Read more…

Newcastle shop owner creates map to showcase area's independent businesses

28 May 2024

An indie shop owner in Ouseburn, Newcastle has created a map to showcase the area's independent businesses.
Read more…

Indie retailers urged to battle 2025 duty change

28 May 2024

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) is calling on independent retailers to keep writing to their MPs to highlight the impact of the upcoming February 2025 duty change.
Read more…

Retail industry key recruiter of people from under-utilised sections of society

15 May 2024

A new report released on behalf of the Retail Sector Council has outlined the work that the industry is doing to create more career opportunities for people that would otherwise be... Read more…

Teacher and ice-cream store manager move from Australia to take over Halifax indie bookshop.

14 May 2024

A family of booklovers are moving from Australia to become the new owners of an independent bookshop in Halifax.
Read more…

Global Payments Report says consumer choice not just influencing but dictating the future of commerce.

14 May 2024

Worldpay’s 2024 Global Payments Report has revealed a transformative shift where consumer choice is not just influencing but dictating the future of commerce.
Read more…

Competition and Markets Authority says grocers need to prioritise accurate pricing.

13 May 2024

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has called on grocers to prioritise accurate pricing following a review of the way in-store prices are displayed.
Read more…

Leicester indie retailers defend ‘special’ city centre after M&S announces closure.

13 May 2024

Independent businesses in Leicester have praised the “uniqueness” of the city and its "vibrant" atmosphere after the news that M&S was set to close drew a... Read more…

Independent shops better than big retailers at surviving COVID in the UK

1 May 2024

Small shops have been more "agile" at fighting COVID sale slumps than chain stores, according to a new report.
Read more…

Back to news menu

Age-friendly businesses could revitalise Britain's high streets.

Posted on in Business News

Older people could be the financial shot in the arm needed for Britain’s high street, according to research commissioned by the University of Stirling. 

Older shoppers

By following some simple tips, retail and hospitality businesses could widen their customer and staff base and at the same time improve the experience of older people, say academics who are working to address healthy ageing challenges. 

Enhancing accessibility could result in a significant financial uplift for high street shops, potentially increasing monthly revenues by £267 million, according to a new set of guides for retailers and hospitality businesses. Using large print menus, providing free newspapers, offering group discounts and accepting cash payments are some of the suggestions included in the guides. 

The retail and hospitality toolkits, developed and funded as part of the UKRI Healthy Ageing Challenge and its Social, Behavioural & Design Research Programme (SBDRP), also suggest using staff name badges, adapting lighting and soundscapes for older people, and training to help employees better understand older people’s needs. 

The guides advise shops, restaurants and cafes to set aside designated time for older people. For example, Morrisons and Tesco supermarkets operate quiet shopping hours, when music and in-store radios are turned off, loudspeaker system announcements are avoided, and checkout sounds turned down. 

The guides also encourage businesses to recruit more older workers. Currently, one in three employees is aged 50 and over. The Retail Guides indicate that by 2030, staff over 50 will outnumber those under 30 in the retail sector. 

Spending by older consumers will rise from 54% (£319 billion) of total consumer spending in 2018 to 63% by 2040 (£550 billion), says the International Longevity Centre, publisher of the retail guides. The hospitality toolkit was produced by the University of Surrey’s Hospitality Connect programme. 

Judith Phillips, OBE, of the University of Stirling, Professor of Gerontology and Research Director for the Healthy Ageing Challenge, said: “These guides offer practical and actionable advice for retailers and hospitality businesses so that they can adapt for our ageing society. They serve as a clear roadmap for creating a society in which everyone’s wellbeing is valued, with healthy ageing front and centre.” 

Dr Elaine Douglas, Programme Manager at the SBDRP, said: “This research underlines the immense potential for business to enhance the quality of life for older individuals. It’s about creating more inclusive and accessible environments that benefit everyone.  

“Shops, cafes and restaurants are powerful resources for our communities – places to gather, to socialise or just have a chat at the checkout, and employers of older people. So, catering better for older people is a community health matter too.” 

The University of Stirling hosts the Social, Behavioural & Design Research Programme which is funded by UK Research and Innovation. The Programme meaningfully engages with older people and businesses to provide insights into the needs and opportunities of an ageing population. The Programme covers seven projects, funded by the UKRI Healthy Ageing Challenge, from home design and supportive environments to healthy ageing at work.  

The guides can be found here:   

Retail Project: The Healthy Retail Guides - SBDRP (ageing-sbdrp.co.uk)  
Hospitality Connect: Welcome ALL | A Toolkit for Age-inclusive Hospitality Venues - SBDRP (ageing-sbdrp.co.uk)

Back to news menu

Useful links

If you have any other queries please contact us.