The prominent ever-evolving demographic changes in our society have a powerful influence over our residential and commercial interior schemes. This is acutely palpable within retail design where consumer demand has increased and many have failed to keep up the pace. This is evident from our diminishing high street, with the likes of UK-favourite British Home Stores and the nation’s beloved Woolworths being stripped away from the heart of our town centres. There is a need for today’s retailers to meet modern-day consumers’ needs to evade a further depleted high street within UK towns and cities.

In this issue, Owain Roberts, Retail Practice Area Leader and Design Director at design firm Gensler, discusses the retail ‘experiences’ that retailers should be looking into to secure their occupancy on the high street. Owain’s advice reaches far beyond the world of conventional in-store cafes to a more bespoke experience that will enhance a brand’s presence and equip customers with a better understanding of a retailer’s ethos. To learn more about Owain’s advice, turn to page 24.

Meanwhile from page 42 to 47, Inex offers readers a taster of this year’s events as event season reaches its peak. Decorex kicks off the festivities with an impressive line-up of exhibitors and keynote speakers, while London Design Fair closes September’s calendar with a creative punch.

I hope you enjoy this edition. Don’t forget, you can also access all of Inex’s features and product inspiration at your fingertips via the magazine’s state-of-the-art app. To download your version free of charge, simply search ‘Inex-online’ on the App Store or Google play.