let's talk about that with sophie michael, head of retail at bdo. how did high street fair? better than the u.s.? >> december has been a challenging month. we saw a fall in high street sales again. it's been the fourth row in that critical festive month for uk retail. any fall on the uk high street with the fourth in a row is a disappointment for uk retail. >> we saw that with the numbers of next. oftentimes seen as a bellwether for the fashion industry. did fashion doppler particularl in december. >> fashion fell in december, but we need to coming pair that to a low base in 2015. and the overall high street fall in 2015 was the worst month we saw going back to december of 2008. that's why any falls of those figures is a poor result for uk retail. >> what next was eluding to was the rise in the experience economy. so fewer people spending a lot of money in clothes but going out to restaurants, festivals. how big a problem is this structural shift? it doesn't seem to be an idiosyncratic issue for retailers. it's a big industry-wise issue. how can you combat that? we have seen

michael very much. [applause] >> tonight on "after words," interviewed by alexander cooley, columbia university professor. >> i'm here with sophie pinkham. welcome. we're talk about he under book "black square: adventures in passover yet ukraine now i think we all understand about

michael? >> i'm doing great. you have something to talk to sofer about. >> we do. >> go ahead. it's all yours. >> we do. sophie? >> i'm so good. hi! >> go ahead. >> we're missing you here in kansas. >> they're missing you. >> oh, yes. >> are you having fun up in new york? >> what? it's very good, yes, i love new york. it's very fun. >> so, what is your message for sophie, you guys? >> can you hear us, sophie? >> yes, now i can. >> well, you know what, i'm going to take over because these guys -- we're having a little trouble. >> we're losing a little feed but we're missing you here in kansas. and i was curious to hear a little bit of the conversation between you and your mother last year, how you said that i am going to be the next super fan and how that came about. >> okay, so i wanted to be the next super kid. i mean the super bowl is such a once in a lifetime opportunity and i was so excited and saw it on the website and i was like, you know, i'm going to sign up for this. i'm going to go for it and here i am. >> we got your back. are you there? >> these guys, you're one of the finalists, and why these guys