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While digital may continue to be a looming threat over high street businesses, it will never replace the in-store experience. Certainly, retailers can capitalise on hybrid opportunities, such as augmented reality or click-and-collect. But we can always do more to make our customers feel good.

Thousands of retail buyers, and owners of independent stores from across the UK flocked to Spring Fair at the NEC Birmingham today as it opened its doors for the first time in two years.

As we enter 2022, the sales will pose a tricky question for retailers. Will customers be queueing out the doors as they did in pre-pandemic times, or will they turn their attention to online sales?