So this is by no means an extensive study or telling insight into the health of the UK retail consumer economy. It’s literally five minutes strolling through the Princesshay city centre retail / mixed use development in Exeter which is relatively new and occupied by good quality stores. I was struck by how many had continuing sales. Many of the signs were tucked away discretely at pavement level; I’m not quite sure of the marketing rational there? Still they were easy enough to photograph without getting under any shoppers’ feet because, well, there weren’t any shoppers about.

Do scroll down to the end though, it’s not all doom and gloom!

The Apple store was still active.

A ray of optomistic light!