Retail expert Mary Portas has introduced The Society of Shopkeepers, a Substack-based membership community tailored for individuals in the retail industry, just a short time after unveiling the initiative at TheIndustry.fashion Summit.
A Community Focused on the High Street
On 5 November, Portas, a renowned author, activist, and founder of Portas Consultancy, launched the Society as a dedicated space for those passionate about preserving exceptional shops. Leveraging her 30 years of experience collaborating with retailers and brands, the platform caters to a diverse range of professionals, including independent shop owners, emerging brands, retail leaders, shop-floor teams, marketers, and high street advocates.
In a conversation co-founder Lauretta Roberts at the Fashion [Un]Bound summit, Portas positioned the project as a departure from traditional industry organizations. She emphasized the need for a unique community that supports innovation and discussion.
“I’m launching this Society of Shopkeepers for anyone who’s in the business, to be surprising, innovative, discuss things, challenge them,” Portas stated.
Portas’ affinity for the term “shopkeepers” reflects her admiration for instinctive retailers. “I call them shopkeepers. I love that. It’s just so much more kind of pride in that,” she added.
Members of the Society can expect to find a range of resources, including workshops, tutorials, and cultural insights, all presented in an opinionated and thought-provoking manner, highlighting what Portas perceives as shortcomings in the retail sector.
Shifting Focus from Data to People
During her keynote address, Portas argued that the retail industry has relied too heavily on data, speed, and price for an extended period. She reflected on her own career, which began as a Display Manager at Topshop’s Oxford Circus store at the age of 25 and later included a role as creative director at Harvey Nichols.
“I never saw myself as in the retail business. I saw myself as in creating magic, and then the byproduct was you sold,” she said. “I think we believed that we had to talk the language of data and analysis… we actually forgot about people and how they were feeling.”
Regarding AI, Portas suggested that while operations may benefit, brands must avoid repeating past mistakes, such as over-reliance on supermarkets, malls, and search platforms. “What really brands have to hold on to is distinctiveness,” she said. “AI can do everything and it can assess and give you every answer, but it cannot tell you how people are feeling.”
Subscription Options and Features
The newly launched Substack community offers a free tier, as well as a paid membership option priced at £10 per month or £100 per year. With over 11,000 subscribers already, the platform will also incorporate existing Portas newsletters from its launch.
To coincide with the launch, the Society has released ‘The Magic of Retail’, a complimentary Portas Paper that explores the history and future of retail, arguing that retailers have sacrificed distinctiveness for broader reach over the past century and emphasizing the need to reintegrate creativity into the heart of retail.
Portas will continue to offer bespoke consultancy services and Accelerator Programmes in conjunction with the Society.