NEWS that another high street retailer is in trouble and may face closure brings into stark relief the changes that are taking place in Britain’s shopping landscape.

As this paper reports today, some 36 staff at two local branches of Bank Fashion could lose their jobs as the chain went into administration.

And although the company has admitted that it has been struggling for some years, the news will be seen as another indication that shopping habits are changing.

Retailer John Lewis also announced yesterday that it has seen more growth in online shopping, helping to push its year on year sales up by six per cent overall.

The company added its voice to retail experts who have been predicting that the rise of online shopping will mean massive changes in the way we purchase goods and services.

What will the future face of the high street then become?

Will we see the survival of the largest of retailers and small, boutique independent traders but the loss of smaller chains where the offering online makes it difficult for them to compete? Perhaps.

But Napolean once declared the British as a “nation of shopkeepers”.

It is more likely that our retailers will adapt and adopt than fade away altogether.