Dr. Les Dolega (p)

The UK retail landscape has undergone profound transformation over the past decade, with debate largely centred on the decline of traditional high streets and town centres. Long-term structural shifts—driven by technological advancement and changing consumer behaviour—were significantly exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, supply chain disruption, and the cost-of-living crisis. This study provides a data-driven assessment of the transformation and economic performance of UK retail centres between 2019 and 2024, focusing particularly on the post-pandemic period and the nature of recovery. By examining pre-pandemic, within-pandemic, and post-pandemic phases, we evaluate how structural trends and a major economic shock reshaped traditional retail spaces.
Before the pandemic, weakening demand for ‘brick-and-mortar’ retail was already evident, reflecting the rapid growth of e-commerce platforms such as ASOS and SHEIN. Using longitudinal retailer occupancy data at the individual store level, we show that the pandemic primarily accelerated these pre-existing trends. Vacancy rates rose by a record +25.4% during the pandemic. Although the post-pandemic period has seen a modest reduction (-5.2%), vacancy remains well above the pre-pandemic average (10.6%), indicating a weak and uneven recovery. Traditional sectors—particularly fashion, tour operators, entertainment venues, and bank branches—have continued to contract, with more than 5,000 bank branches closing nationally.
Recovery, however, is not uniformly negative. In line with adaptive resilience and retail cycle frameworks, we identify clear signs of reorientation. Convenience retail, grocery stores, cafés, fast food outlets, and leisure uses have demonstrated resilience, supported by lasting shifts in consumer demand. Changing working patterns have also reshaped retail geographies: smaller local and district centres, typically anchored by convenience and service functions, have generally outperformed commuter-dependent centres. This shift aligns with planning discourse around the 15-minute city, which emphasises proximity to everyday amenities.
Overall, post-pandemic recovery reflects structural adjustment rather than rebound. While elevated vacancies and surplus space persist, adaptation and diversification are underway, producing uneven but significant reconfiguration across the UK retail system.

Dr. Agnieszka Majorek-Gdula (p), MSc Wiktoria Gałecka

The rapid expansion of e-commerce represents a pivotal challenge for modern retail, reshaping distribution logistics and service accessibility across areas with varying settlement structures. Global digital transformation and the surge in e-commerce, intensified by COVID-19, have altered consumer behavior and the structure of distribution channels while simultaneously generating new challenges in last-mile logistics.

The objective of this presentation is to analyze the spatial distribution and accessibility of parcel lockers, treated both as a component of service infrastructure and as an important link in the retail system within the context of e-commerce development. The literature highlights that parcel lockers offer an efficient alternative to traditional door-to-door deliveries, enabling reductions in courier route lengths, CO₂ emissions, and transport pressure in urbanized areas, provided they are strategically located and accessible by foot, bike, or as part of routine trips. However, existing studies and systematic reviews focus mainly on the urban environment, prioritizing the impact of parcel lockers on public space, service accessibility, and urban spatial order. As a result, their potential in rural and peripheral areas remains relatively underexplored.

The results of the analysis will make it possible to determine the extent to which the development of parcel locker infrastructure contributes to mitigating inequalities in retail service access. Furthermore, the analysis will examine whether observed spatial disparities may influence the future development of e-commerce at regional and local levels, addressing broader global challenges and regional shifts in the retail sector.

Dr. Anita Szuszkiewicz (p)

The aim of the paper is to analyze influence of rising e-commerce trend and low-carbon logistics on the structure of the retail network and trade formats in the cities and rural areas, based on literature review and authors own study regarding consumer perceptions on greening of last mile logistics operations.

Retail trade is strongly influenced by (mega) trends in economic, social, technological and legal development, which has led to its transformation and dynamic changes, especially in recent years. These changes are significant from the point of view of spatial planning, especially in urban areas. For instance, increased competition and global technological changes led to a shift into the digitisation of trade. The spread of the internet, and later mobile devices, paved the way for the development of e-commerce, which gained particular momentum there after 2010. The emergence of e-platforms such as Allegro, the expansion of courier and logistics services, and changing consumer expectations regarding shopping convenience.

According to the Consumer Digital Empowerment Index survey, 75% of European consumers believe that in ten years' time, consumer experiences will mainly take place in the digital space, which shows that in their opinion, the digital world will dominate traditional commerce.

With the growth of online commerce, the role of last mile logistics (LML) operations, including parcel delivery, is increasing. LML is considered the least efficient and most complex part of the supply chain. One of the significant challenges facing LML operations, particularly road transport, is low-carbon logistics, optimisation and modernization of proccesses. In order to meet the emerging challenges related to LML operations, it is necessary to implement innovative solutions aimed, among other things, at reducing the demand for freight transport, optimising the use of freight transport, increasing the use of resources, improving the energy efficiency of the fleet and reducing the carbon dioxide content in energy sources, which has impact on the structure of the retail network and trade formats both in the cities as well as in rural areas. Another aspect to consider is product packaging in e-commerce, which has a negative impact on the environment, particularly in the case of plastic waste and non-returnable packaging, as well as the use of reverse logistics solutions.