The retail sector is in the midst of a deeply disruptive shift as online shopping increasingly puts its long-term future in peril. Howard Morris, head of the business restructuring and insolvency group at Morrison & Foerster in London, argues that instead of liquidating speedily, retailers should take a leaf out of the insurance industry’s book and continue to make profits as they are run down slowly.

The Financial Times recently ran an article by Andrew Wrigglesworth, “Will the death of US retail be the next big short?” Online shopping is disrupting traditional retail. It isn’t just another recession or adjustment or market correction - the familiar retailer with outlets in many malls seems to be done.

Originally published in Global Restructuring Review on August 1, 2017.