Is there a place on the High Street for generalists?(The big question)

With WH Smith planning to exit the singles market at the end of this month, is there still room on the High Street for the generalist retailer?

Rob Salter, Handleman UK managing director

"We want music to appeal to as wide an audience as we possibly can and there are people who are intimidated by the specialists and who do not buy from the supermarkets. So there is a role for the generalists on the High Street. The greater the number of options and the greater the opportunities to sell product in the marketplace the better."

Peter Thompson, Vital managing director

"There is room, but singles were always going to be a difficult market for someone like WH Smith. I don't think they were as committed to singles as they could have been and therefore didn't do a particularly good job with it. People don't go into a store like that looking for singles and they didn't project that image. Woolworths is still a really important part of the High Street and are a bit more committed in that area."

Nick Piggott, Creation digital content manager (programming division of GWR)

"I think retailers on the High Street have really examined their margins to try and justify the shelf space they devote to the physical ...