Bricks over clicks as shops come back into fashion across Europe

French sports retailer Decathlon has added about 80 shops to its network this year, taking its total number of outlets to about 1,700 globally

Spanish retailer Inditex, owner of the Zara brand, offers group fitting rooms where friends can try on clothes.

The rise of online shopping led to swathes of store closures, casting doubt over the future of retail malls and high streets, but across Europe there are signs that shops are back in vogue and are important for helping to drive online sales.

European retailers are investing in physical shops to stimulate both online and offline sales as they face increasing competition from giant e-commerce companies, such as fast-fashion group Shein.