The Future Shocks Issue

Another new year, another post-Christmas post-mortem on the declining fortunes of the bricks-and-mortar retailer.

Predictably, online operators like Amazon are in the firing line as a major cause, but could real-world retailers stage a fightback using technology to turn the customer experience into something much richer and rewarding?

This issue we examine some of the technological trends emerging in this area, and how they could change the game for retailers and property owners alike.

Meanwhile, we're also looking at how the rise of online retail, automation and next-day delivery is fueling new appetites in the logistics sector, with occupiers and developers racing to get as close as possible to consumers' front doors and office desks. In the offices sector, we're asking just how much of a difference a working environment can make to people's physical and mental health.

Finally, we also meet the winner of the RICS Cities for our Future competition, Earl Patrick Forlales, whose modular housing system Cubo could help improve the lives of millions of people living in informal settlements today.