Traditional shopping still viable ?24 Sep 2022 13:29
..some weekend ramblings..
While the sun is shining its difficult to comprehend the changes that are taking place around the world.
Unrest in Europe has brought forward the impending energy crisis by a few years; this is no bad thing as it sharpens the focus around climate change and what we have to do to mitigate its impact.
Analysts and market commentators pay almost no attention to what's around the corner but this winter could see some real changes to how we do things.
We tend to think of Europe suffering an energy crisis but the US has its own problems albeit for different reasons. Climate change was virtually ignored under the Trump administration, polices were reversed and withdrawal from Paris accord further compounded public sentiment. Large areas of the East coast are now under permanent drought with the Hoover Dam at record lows, the once famous intake towers are some 15 or so storeys above water level. Los Angles has just put in a 'last drop' straw at the bottom of Lake Mead, estimated life span just over three years.
Energy rationing has already started in Europe this summer and set to increase heading into winter.
Visualise the Cathedral like structures of traditional shopping malls (Bluewater) with so much empty space, single glazing, lifts, carparks, how does that compare per sq meter to an automated warehouse - staffing levels, heating, lighting actual stock per sq meter?
Will people still visit cities to see the lights being switched on? Lighting and heating will have to be greatly reduced to match current and future supplies, lower light levels are just not that enticing especially during winter, pilfering could rise, CCTV becomes less effective the list goes on.
These changes are already underway, France new measures;
He added that he wants to give shopkeepers an array of tools to reduce their consumption, and questioned “the use of light as a commercial attraction.”
"Lille, Marseille, Montpellier and Lyon are leading the way with blackouts"
https://www.euronews.com/green/2022/09/13/eiffel-tower-lights-out-paris-falls-in-line-with-macrons-energy-sobriety-rules
As with Covid restrictions these measures are not optional, public pressure will also be in full swing on those breaching the rules.
Against this backdrop online DTC is a far more efficient way to distribute goods, also my primary reason for investing long term.
https://sustainability.thg.com/#vertical-menu-anchor-5
Sign In
Follow the stocks
