FEATURE “However, for those whose doors remain shuttered, it was once again a tough month and even those who stayed open suffered reduced footfall and huge costs implementing social distancing measures. While the month showed record growth in online sales, many retailers will be anxious to see whether demand returns to our high streets now that non-essential shops have reopened. Weak consumer confidence and social distancing rules are likely to hold back sales. “There are concerns that if Government support is withdrawn too quickly, businesses will not survive. Until the situation improves, retailers urgently need support on rents and negotiations with their landlords as high fees could force some physical retailers to shut for good.” Staying in the game So now that more stores have reopened, how can retailers excite this high street format again? “It’s not just getting back and getting on with it,” says Walmsley. “Everything that’s been talked about now for many years about reformatting and reorganising becomes very sharp end stuff now. It’s time to do it – you’ve got to come back even better. “It’s a huge challenge for most independents on their own and it needs a lot more coordination. We’ve worked so much more closely through this process because we’ve all been challenged in the same way. That kick makes you start thinking about what we want from the Government.” But how much will consumers’ habits change long-term – and how much of this will have been brought about by COVID-19? “There’s a lot of pent up demand,” explains Walmsley. “Most people have been home and not spending a lot. There’s a surge there. But against that you’ve got the huge unemployment figures. A lot of people aren’t going to have work – there are going to be a lot of people who shouldn’t be spending money. “There’s still a large degree of uncertainty out there but consumer habits have changed. Independents could never avoid online. They’ve always been behind the game in terms of development opportunities and they’ll have to improve offerings going forward.” Walmsley believes independents will always be important to the high street, but in order to encourage consumers to keep coming back, more needs to be done to make their offerings stand out. “I went to Venice in February – walking down those high streets is quite wondrous. There aren’t many you can say that about in the UK. They’ve become too bland. A lot of it is to do with financial management and landlords and assured leases. Everything looks the same. “If we want to have width of choice and service, we need more independents. Cooperates’ formulas tend to be very proven, bland and boring. Independents tend to lead and innovate.” n
24 | July 2020
22-24 BBJuly20 Mark Walmsley Final.indd 24
Independents’ Day Celebrating independent shops and the role they play within retail is vital, and it’s encouraging to see many initiatives dedicated to doing just that. And, despite all the disruptions of COVID-19, organisers of Independents’ Day UK say this year’s campaign will go ahead as planned on 4th July, providing consumers and the sector alike with a ‘unique opportunity to celebrate the value of independent retailers’ at a ‘critical time’ for the industry. “Whether it’s a morning paper or a pint of milk - if all of us go out of our way to support our local shops, we can make a huge difference to a sector that has been hit hard by the COVID-19 lockdown,” says Howard Robinson, a spokesperson for the campaign. “Independents bring colour, choice and character to our high streets, they provide jobs and invaluable services to communities – and now more than ever, it really is a case of use them, or lose them.” Greg Deacon, chief operating officer of the Federation of Independent Retailers, adds: “Independent retailers around the country have shown remarkable levels of innovation over the past few months to keep their businesses going and in many cases to keep serving their customers in new and different ways. “Whilst we can all applaud that, Independents’ Day gives us an ideal chance to celebrate small retailers and support them as they bring their bricks and mortar shops back to the heart of their communities.” Research published in April by the British Independent Retailers Association warned that one third of independent retailers may struggle to reopen after lockdown, after facing delays in accessing Government finance, while shopper comparison website finder.com reported that during lockdown 41% had been shopping at local independent stores more regularly than they had before, with 36% saying they planned to use local shops more often once lockdown was lifted. The team estimates that last year, over 6,000 small shops across the UK engaged with the campaign – and is hoping that figure will reach at least 20,000 this year. n
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22/06/2020 19:15