High Streets missing the mark for over 55s
19th December 2023 A recent survey by CACI revealed a disconnect between the offerings of local high streets and the preferences of residents aged over 55. Despite being generally content with local services and leisure options, this demographic overwhelmingly desires a shift towards shops catering to their tastes and spending habits. The demand for improved retail options is particularly pronounced in the Northeast, with an astounding 64% of over-55s seeking more stores they favour. This sentiment echoes across other regions, with 62% in Scotland, 61% in Wales, and 60% in the Southeast expressing similar desires. Interestingly, affluence doesn’t seem to be a major factor in this trend. Across different Acorn groups representing older demographics, a majority voiced a lack of desired retail options: 63% of “mature success”, 68% of “constrained pensioners”, 61% in “semi-rural maturity”, and 52% of “stable seniors”. In contrast, local services like pharmacies, doctors, libraries, and opticians appear to be meeting the needs of over-55s, with only a quarter of “constrained pensioners” and “semi-rural maturity” groups, and slightly higher percentages for “stable seniors” and “mature success”, requesting more such options. Leisure options also rank low on the desired improvements list, with only around 11-22% across Acorn groups feeling a lack […]
