Where do we start in comparing how the internet has changed our shopping habits in as little as 15 years? Nowadays, we can do everything from ordering our groceries to buy property online and this trend shows no sign in waning in future years.
Of course, the biggest casualty of this explosive phenomenon is the fact that our high street stores are really starting to feel the brunt. People are not wanting to traipse into their town so much now, when they can simply order any type of goods from the comfort of their own home.
The other demographic you need to consider, which will have another knock-on effect on high street stores, is the eldest generation, many of whom have not managed to master the use of the internet. There is a real possibility that as internet usage becomes more apparent across every age group in years to come - this may affect more and more retail stores.
I don't know about you, but this actually worry me slightly and I do not want to picture town centre's that are to become ghost towns in the future. But the long and the short of it is that unless we physically start to visit more bricks and mortar establishments in the future, this is the destiny of the retail store.