You wouldn’t know it by looking at a map, but Wellington’s supposed retail heart is struggling. We are talking about that stretch between Lambton Quay and Courtenay Place – prime real estate, 

right? Yet, a staggering 46 shops stand empty. It’s a ghost town, and things could get worse.

Retailers are hurting. Sales are down, profits are thin, and the future looks bleak. The pandemic didn’t help, with more people working from home and fewer government jobs in the city. It’s like the life has been sucked out of the place during the week.

Ian Douglas, the owner of Village Goldsmith, has seen it all. His jewelry store has been a Wellington institution since 1981. He’s weathering the storm better than most, thanks to owning his shop and focusing on timeless pieces. But even he admits that people are spending less on those “feel-good” impulse buys.

A vague statement from a senior city leader, adapt to what? with the city led Green Steamroller about to do to Lambton Quay as it has in Thorndon Quay retailers will need to adapt, try to pay less rent but that is at odds to the rates increases coming. If WCC led by Siobahn Procter runs Lambton Quay as Thorndon or the Town Hall our insider suggests it’s lights out for Lambton Quay. One can only imagine the excitement and glee the owners of Queensgate are having at the Procter led destruction of so much value.Some are doing just that. Pickle & Pie and Dough Bakery, for instance, listened to their customers and started offering lighter meals and opening stores closer to the ‘burbs. Glou Glou café revamped its menu and is trying to stay top-of-mind with customers. It’s a fight, but they’re not giving up.

The economy might be crawling out of recession, but retailers are holding their breath. They’re hoping people will start spending again soon. But even if they do, the retail landscape has changed. It’s a tough time to be a shopkeeper in Wellington, but the ones who listen to their customers and adapt might just make it through.