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Comment: High street’s winners move with the times

Those of you whose livelihoods depend on a flourishing high street will have been wise to avoid some of the recent national newspaper headlines as 2014 dawned.

Expectations of downbeat results from the likes of Tesco and M&S – and predictions that some brands are facing the abyss following another poor festive period – are no doubt a concern.

It is certainly a sobering antidote to the usual flurry of upbeat trading updates from travel firms during a traditionally busy period for holiday bookings.

But here at Travel Weekly we don’t have to look far to find some real evidence that travel retailing can look forward to a prosperous 2014.

Literally feet from where I sit, STA Travel has its flagship London store, which this week unveiled its new look.

What struck me about what STA bosses had to say about their experience of retailing on the high street is its enduring ability to confound the doom-mongers. Even STA’s tech-savvy younger customers are increasingly seeing the value of face-to-face advice from an expert.

Naturally, these clients are looking for a modern retail experience with social, Wi-Fi and video, but STA’s store also features atlases, books and good old brochures. All businesses have to move with the times, but to hear STA talking up retail is an extremely positive sign.

Talking of which, plans for our annual Travel Weekly Globe Awards are almost complete and we’re on track for a bumper turnout next Thursday. The event marks last year’s achievements, but will set the tone for what, I sense, promises to be a successful 2014.

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