Walk down the UK’s most famous shopping street and you will see bright, inviting emporiums of Americana, stacked high with sweets and rainbow-coloured vape pens. Dotted between them you’ll see identikit souvenir stores selling keyrings and miniature models of double-decker buses. Oxford Street has at least 30 of these candy stores on the last count, with some even in prime locations.
Everyone understands that retail had a really tough time during the pandemic, which saw big names leaving high streets across the country. Even so, shoppers and tourists are perplexed. Why are there so many? Why do they often appear to be empty? Why are sweets being sold at eye-watering prices?
