More health-conscious? The latest UK consumer trends influence these areas...

New research from shopping centre giant Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield , which surveyed 2,000 UK consumers and 500 UK retailers, focused on the impact of the pandemic on future shopping and found a series of trends that have been on the rise throughout 2020 .

One of the five key areas where trends are occurring is the emphasis on experience, which will become the most important element of stores over the next five years, according to the Westfield report . Other trends include a greater focus on online shopping, a focus on sustainability, a surge in local shopping, and a major push for rental services.

The epidemic has accelerated changes, and online shopping has become a new trend

Matthew Drinkwater , head of innovation at London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London, said: "It was clear that the role of physical retail in consumers' lives was changing before the pandemic , but the lockdown and restrictions ultimately forced both brands and consumers to question the necessity of stores . " This also means that online shopping has become a new shopping option for more consumers.

Offline stores will provide experience services, and consumers will pay more attention to personal health

By 2025, as retailers reach an “experiential tipping point” where more store space is devoted to experiences rather than selling products, 52 % of shoppers say they now crave in-store experiences.

On the personal health front, Westfield ’s research shows that 49% of shoppers now want to buy locally sourced goods, prompting 96% of retailers to consider introducing community initiatives in 2021. At the same time, the pandemic will drive the popularity of “ wellness markets ”, which stipulate that shoppers can use specific products based on their personal health needs. In the UK alone , health-conscious millennials are expected to increase the value of this industry to £40 billion per month , with 78% of shoppers saying they would be interested in a healthy experience in offline stores .

The new trends will not only bring huge challenges to retailers, but retailers will also provide new service models to seek better development for themselves. In the face of these new trends, online sellers should also continue to understand new trends, provide new products, and provide consumers with services that keep pace with the times.