Elasticated waists and unfriendly greetings [cards] : Why it's time to rethink attitudes to ageing in retail

Independent Thinking - Exploring a new era for retail and the high street

This week, we’re continuing our look at industry wide trends and the retail sector as a whole, as we speak to Ailsa Forbes, Retail Impact Fellow at International Longevity Centre UK. Founded in 1997, the ILC is the only specialist thinktank of its kind, looking into longevity in our society and how people can live meaningful and independent lives, regardless of their age.
The ILC has lobbied government and pushed for change for decades, and is now leading on a sector wide project that will for the first time, reflect on the impact of longevity on the retail industry, and how, for example we can ensure retail spaces can be accessed with by older people with dignity and comfort.

This fascinating discussion starts with Ailsa's own unique journey into retail, before looking at small changes that retailers can make to improve the experiences of older people, casual ageism in retail and our society more generally, and why recent strides made in improving menopause awareness can give us hope in improving conversations around getting older in the UK.
More resources will be shared as the project progresses, but for now you can read more here: https://ilcuk.org.uk/spending-with-dementia/

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