Social Sciences, News & Events, Leadership, Research, University of Leeds, Leadership & Research Laidlaw Scholars

Retail as the Mirror of Society: How Britain’s High Streets Reveal a Decade of Change (2015–2025)

Over the past decade, UK high streets have mirrored social change. Behind every closure is a shift in how people connect and find purpose. My research shows how health, food, and experiential retailers replaced department stores, revealing how societies adapt as lifestyles and technology evolve.

Leonardo Gareri Oct 09, 2025

At its core, this research is not only about retail but about resilience, the quiet ability of people and places to reinvent themselves when the world changes. The high street, after all, reflects us: our culture, habits, and evolving ways of connecting. For me, this project also bridges into entrepreneurship; understanding how businesses survive disruption is the first step toward creating the ones that will define the future. I hope this work contributes to wider research and practical innovation on how societies, organisations, and entrepreneurs can adapt to shifting economies and values.

Always open to meaningful connections and collaboration, contact me at:
leonardogareri05@gmail.com