After some slightly gloomy news on the tractor retail figures front, some stats came out in the past week which made more positive reading for the general retail sector.

The Office Of National Statistics reported a noticeable uptake in retail sales in the month of January - with actual physical stores, as opposed to online retailers, seeing a particular upturn. Some commentators have seen this as some much-needed reassurance for businesses running bricks and mortar retail premises.

According to the ONS, the amount of goods sold in Great Britain rose by 0.9% overall last month. And whilst no-one will be closing their doors early today in celebration at this news, it is at least a statistic which goes against the received wisdom that the high street is in perpetual decline and online sales are the only way forward.

Dealers know that in-store buying has so much more to offer and can provide an experience that online retail simply cannot. Especially with the type of products they are stocking. The key is getting that message out to consumers that it's to their benefit to enter the showroom - and then once there, it's up to the business to offer them that enhanced experience.

There's clearly still a vital role for traditional retailers to play in the lives of consumers - albeit traditional retailers who are willing to adapt in order to keep pace with the market's interests. Progressive is the key word here.

It's been said many times before, most recently and eloquently by Chris Biddle last week, that historically, dealers have shown that they can survive - and indeed thrive - through this adaptability. Changing with the times and being at the forefront of introducing developing technologies to the marketplace being a prime example.

One avenue which demonstrates this perfectly has been with the emergence of battery and robotic technology in the grass and professional turf care sectors over the past few years. Of course there are the concerns voiced regarding future service work for this equipment - but there doesn't appear to be any doubt now that this kit is very much here to stay. Dealers are finding receptive consumers amongst both domestic, and increasingly, commercial users.

As we move forward, it won't solely be consumer taste which drives the continued increases in sales in this sector - legislation will play a dominant role. More and more stringent laws will be put into place regarding emissions and noise levels, meaning the internal combustion engine will become ever more marginalised.

We saw with the story regarding Ego last week, a manufacturer of battery-powered products launching a manifesto which they say "highlights the dangers of petrol gardening equipment". The manufacturer also said they will be "issuing a rallying cry for like-minded organisations" to join them in order to bring the issue in front of parliament.

If we look to America, and specifically to California, we can see precedent of the increased hand of legislation coming into play when it comes to sales of petrol-powered machinery. California is currently considering a statewide ban on all petrol-run gardening equipment.

In a recent story on the subject from the U.S trade journal, Landscape Management, the head of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) , Kris Kiser, is quoted as saying, "For all intents and purposes, California wants to drive the internal combustion engine out of the state and move to the implementation of zero-emissions products, so switching to battery, electric."

When I spoke to Kris about this subject at the GIE+EXPO in October last year he had this to say regarding California's plans; "It is an extraordinarily aggressive programme with a target of by 2031, eliminating the sale of internal combustion engines. Period. By that year they do not want any internal combustion engines sold in the entire state at all."

Kris explained to me that the way the law works with this kind of legislation, is if California develops new rules, other states can then elect to adopt them also. You can read my interview with Kris in full, in the special supplement that is included with the latest issue of Service Dealer magazine which should be with you any day now.

Clearly there is change in the air. Dealerships are here to stay - but that which is displayed in their showrooms, is inevitably changing.

Actually, perhaps a more apt term is progressing?

So how different do you think your stock will look in 10 years time? In 5 years even? Will there still be place for petrol power or will battery have fully taken over?

Let us know your thoughts.