I don't know if you guys are talking about just cities, or also towns. But I think there are loads of advantages socially and economically to having retail outlets in both rather than these identikit, out-of-town retail parks.
i) access to shops for people without cars and/or internet (including elderly) - also assists with "click and collect"
ii) maintaining asthetics of older buildings rather than gutting them or demolishing them for flats. "Heritage" is not a dirty word.
iii) encourage footfall to the benefit of other businesses in service sector and essential services like bank, post office, library, town hall etc
iv) reduce suburban sprawl by utilising existing sites rather than digging up green belt.
v) the social aspect of a populace using their urban spaces and, as a result of proximity, their parks, museums etc
vi) be a more inviting location for domestic and international tourist euros.
vii) the mental health damage of social isolation for those living alone if we become online only.
viii) having individual items delivered to your house is inefficient in terms of pollution compared to a shopping trip into town using mass transit.
I appreciate I'm farting against thunder with this viewpoint in the present world with global economic realities, but arguments can be made. I'll happily pay 10% more for an item if it means using a shop in my locality.
I honestly don't have all the data for how retail parks, large shopping centres or high streets are all doing, but as far as I'm aware, the only places doing well are those that also have other activities nearby. For example places with climbing walls or play areas for children etc...
The problem is that retail and shops was seen as a safe investment 20-30 years ago and so the country was flooded with shops to the point where there are far more than the needs of the people. Combined with online shopping it means that all these shops are fighting over a smaller share of the market. I agree there still needs to be some shops and services, but it does need to be scaled back and shopping centres within towns should be turned into community areas that combine social and shopping activities. It would take a huge amount of effort, but it could be done.
On a couple of your points (if I don't mention it then I agree with yours)
ii) I understand this, but some older buildings just waste space and in relation to point viii are more polluting as they require more energy to heat and maintain etc. I wouldn't want them replaced with flats, but I would demolish older buildings to create more green spaces in central locations that towns are then build around.
viii) I can see this point too, but with the amount of shops, shopping centres, retail parks, surely it's more efficient than the amount of stores that have goods delivered and then sent back when they haven't been sold etc...The amount of lorries moving around the country is huge.
I think overall you are not too far away from other points of view, it's more the balance of how much retail is enough, how radically do you change urban centres etc... I think I would be more radical, but then I know I am very extreme in some view points and life doesn't work like that.
