Statements by the community

Antje Brüning Westlotto

Retailers can definitely manage digitization on their own, it’s just a question of speed. I believe that retailers have a better sense of their customers’ acceptance. So it’s not about digitization for its own sake, but simply to make sure that the speed at which you digitize things always keeps pace with the customer, to see how far the customer will go with you. That’s why so-called hybrid models are often offered. This way you say: Dear customer, you can decide yourself what you want.

Retail is incapable to master digitization under its own steam alone

We no longer have a balance between social issues and issues that generate profit. At the moment, everything has to generate profit. But there must also be these topics that serve society, that serve the interpersonal. That doesn’t take place much in the city anymore and, in case of doubt, is outsourced to the restaurants as the remaining meeting places. But more meeting places need to be created in the city again.

Non-Retail tenants cannot pay the current prime leases

It remains to be seen whether or not the gas station will still exist in its current form by 2030, and whether or not people will still drive to the gas station at all when e-mobility becomes widespread. Otherwise, if the charging process takes too long or the customer’s expectations are not met, customers will recharge their EVs during everyday errands such as grocery shopping, at McDonald’s or other restaurant visits. In my view, this is a business model. Especially if the refueling is still tied to any bonus systems, vouchers, discounts or whatever in the respective store.