Rebuild: How to thrive in the new Kindness Economy

by Mary Portas

As seen on THE ONE SHOW, and heard on WOMAN'S HOUR and THE ZOE BALL BREAKFAST SHOW on Radio 2

How we live, buy and sell is changing , and it's changing for good. Rebuild is a vital guide to how we reset post-pandemic and build back better.

Retail and brand expert Mary Portas argues that over the past thirty years the business of what we buy has been dominated by the biggest, fastest and cheapest. But those values no longer resonate. We've come to realize that more doesn't equal better.

We are all ready to put people and planet before profit. This 'Kindness Economy' is a new value system where in order to thrive businesses must understand the fundamental role they play in the fabric of our lives. Because we don't just want to buy from brands - we want to buy into them.

Full of expert insight and invaluable advice, Rebuild is about resetting the dial. It gives businesspeople pause for thought about how to make money, as well as the practical tools to build back post-pandemic. And it speaks to anyone who votes with the pound in their pocket - all of us who, with social progress in mind, want to spend our money differently and better.

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'Mary Portas is a woman on a mission.' FORBES

Genres: Nonfiction, Business, Audiobook

208 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2021

About the author

Widely recognized as the UK’s foremost authority on retail and brand communication, Mary Portas has a multitude of expertise; business woman, advertising executive, retail expert, Government adviser, broadcaster and consumer champion. The British media crowned her “Queen of Shops”.

Beginning her retail career in John Lewis, Harrods and Topshop, she joined Harvey Nichols, progressing to the Board as Creative Director in 1989. She was credited with leading its transformation into a world renowned fashion store. In 1997 she launched her own agency, Yellowdoor (now called Portas) which has made its mark in the creative advertising landscape, producing category challenging campaigns and championing brand development for clients including Clarks, Louis Vuitton, Oasis, Swarovski, Dunhill, Boden, Thomas Pink, Patek Philippe and Westfield.


In January 2013 she re-launched her agency as Portas with a new offer reflecting today's retail landscape, and how consumers behave today.

Alongside her work with the agency, Mary has embarked on a number of personal projects. She has published three books, Windows: The Art of Retail Display, and How to Shop. In February 2015 she released Shopgirl, a memoir of her early years.

Inspired by her weekly ‘Shop!’ column in the Telegraph Magazine, Mary began her television career in 2007 when her efforts to rescue failing independent boutiques were documented by the BBC2 series Mary Queen of Shops. The show was nominated for two Royal Television Society Awards and a BAFTA.

Mary became Global Retail Ambassador for Save the Children when she transformed the Charity’s worst performing shop – Orpington – into its best. Mary created a new charity shop format with her Living and Giving stores. The concept is now being rolled out across the country providing a human, ethical and community shopping experience. To date they have generated in excess of £10 million for Save the Children. Again, her journey was documented by the BBC for Mary Queen of Charity Shops.

In January 2011, Channel 4 aired Mary Portas: Secret Shopper. This new format saw Mary championing the often “underserviced” customer on the British high street, giving a voice to disgruntled consumers. With two more series being commissioned in 2015.

Through Mary’s personal experiences, and those of her growing consumer database, Mary identified a ‘lost generation’ of older women who were not being served by the British High Street. She decided that they needed clothes, shoes and accessories made for them and went on to create her own shop within House of Fraser, aimed at “women not girls”. This received huge commercial and critical acclaim and was followed by the documentary, Mary Queen of Frocks.

Her next project was an attempt to revitalize the UK’s manufacturing industry; Mary’s Bottom Line. Mary reopened a factory in Manchester and staffed it with handpicked apprentices. The product was “Kinky Knickers” which have been stocked by top UK retailers Liberty, Boots and ASOS.com.

Mary’s continued advocacy of our High Streets led to her receiving a commission from the British Government to lead an independent review. She delivered her report on the future of our High Streets to the Prime Minister, in December 2011. The Portas Review outlined 28 recommendations to rescue failing High Streets. The Government, retailers and the public supported her plan, and Mary’s work has been a catalyst for community regeneration, and the re-visioning of high streets across the country. The Government committed funds in excess of £10million to support the findings of her Review. The TV show Mary Queen of the High Streets followed Mary’s journey in trying to help revive Britain’s failing high streets, by putting local people at the heart of the solution.

Mary continues to present Channel 4’s annual December documentary, What Britain Bought in which she offers an eye-opening look into the shopping trends of the year.

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Reviews

[Paula Corker · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75. Such an interesting idea. Lots of food for thought. Would be interested in the ideas being reviewed in another couple of years.

[Allison Clough · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half. Main problem is perhaps it was preaching to the converted with me. I didn't learn much new, but it did give me hope that more change might happen.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book's focus on businesses, and the direct they should go in. Some really good examples of entrepreneurs changing their businesses to survive during the pandemic, how to keep work-force, and overall benefit people. I suppose I never thought about it in these exact terms whilst naturally supporting businesses that are not all in it for the profit and exploiting the people lowest in the food chain of their employees. Quite inspirational to hear her argue for the multifold benefits of the kindness economy for everyone, and absolutely would agree with the model and principles.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book on Audible - Mary has a way of making you think as a consumer about what really matters. This is not just for those in business but those consuming too!!

[Shar Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was primarily targeting business owners however I was attracted by the discussion of the impact that the current pandemic has had on the UK economy and Mary Portas’ view of how we could recover and transform in future. Of course there is a feminist focus to her hypothesis ( any self respecting woman who has worked in a business capacity knows this anyway) and a move away from bullish, male managerial tactics. Her book goes into great detail of how this can be acheived with overtones of philosophy and Buddhism with reference to the Buddhist Nun Pema Chodron. I liked her focus on ethical companies like Lush and Sheep Inc. Overall I enjoyed the book but not immensely.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Mary but found this book a bit disappointing. I got stuck into it with heaps of enthusiasm as the core message in it is one I fully agree with. However as the chapters went on and the same message got said again and again, on and on, it got a bit boring. I also don’t believe that some of the businesses sighted by Mary are quite as ‘kind’ as they’d like to think they are. Nice book. Nice overall message. Would have preferred more genuine, real world examples of the kindness economy in action and less eloquently put together waffle.

[Hannah Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary is a force to be reckoned with, and it's fantastic that she is now putting her energy into helping businesses be more kind and combat climate change. I want it to be as simple as she suggests in her very readable and straightforward book but I fear it won't be. I love the examples she gives. As a business owner, I'm going to have to try to build back better. I owe to my daughter and future generations.

[Erica Basnicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book I’ve read on the topic, and I wish I could force every CEO to read it. But it is also really sad to note that the idea of a kindness economy is considered a “radical” idea. Exactly what kind of morons would think that?
Oh. Right. Never mind.
Don’t be a moron. Read this or another book of your choice that supports a similar philosophy. I enjoyed this one, and it’s timely.

[Bonnie Tuballa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like an extended Ted-Talk on how to be a better, kinder business. Easy to read, interjected with quick to-do task/questions summarising main points. Doesn't go in depth, but is a great conversation starter.

[Holly Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would have been better as a well written blog post, the first half was drawn out but the second half picked up.

The examples were the best part of the book but only really came in the penultimate chapter.