Leader - with Clare Turner

LEADER

At the heart of retail

Also by Lema Publishing

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INTERNATIONAL

Ji

Clare Turner

At last our high streets have come back to life! After three long months, springtime them to customers,” he points out. We asked several independent toy retailers in the first week that nonbrought relief to the retail sector, essential stores rolled back into action for with non-essential stores reopening a trading snapshot, and their responses on 12 April in the next step of the were overwhelmingly positive. It seems easing of the national lockdown. that indies are (unsurprisingly) thrilled

Toy retailers across the country - and relieved - to be back behind the are hoping that pent-up demand counter. will now be released, and that Although some were initially nervous and cash registers will ring merrily again. In the words of KPMG UK Head of Retail Paul Martin: “ Indies are thrilled - and concerned that not all customers would stick to the ‘shop safe’ guidelines, their fears appear to be unfounded, with no bad examples “All hopes of a strong relieved - to of social distancing to date. Others recovery now rest on be back report that there’s “a really lovely ” vibe” in-store and “a great buzz” on the high street. One remarked: “Have I missed customers? Yes, I have! Obviously from a financial point of view we missed consumers feeling more confident to move away from their homes and hit the high street to browse the stores that have been out of behind the counter bounds for months.” having footfall - although online kept us

As we’ve discussed in previous going. But I’ve missed the banter with the issues, lockdown has led many kids and grown-ups!” readers to rethink the way they Perhaps a comment made by Jade do business. But even the ones Oliver-Deacon, owner of The Toy Shop in who have embraced online - and Okehampton, best sums up the have prospered - agree that overall mood: “The key message that there’s absolutely no substitute for has come across from our customers unlocking their doors and serving is that they’re really, really pleased that customers again. I managed to survive the last lockdown

And in many cases, some toys just and are delighted to see the shop open sell better in person; being able once again.” to touch and feel items is often an But of course, we’re not quite out of integral part of the sales process. the woods yet, and the CBI’s principal As Paul Wohl, CEO of Argosy economist Ben Jones recently issued a Toys in Essex reflects in our Retail cautionary warning to that effect. Interview, during lockdown his baby Despite progress along the roadmap, and nursery product was probably the impact of Covid-19 restrictions are still the hardest thing to sell, because biting hard, he noted. Retailers generally “a lot of people like to see it in are still facing challenges around inventory the flesh - that’s what clinches management and their supply chains, amid the deal”. trade disruption, big shifts in consumer

Amir Yusuf, owner of the three- behaviour and uncertainty over how long strong Totally Awesome toy chain some degree of social distancing could in Yorkshire, makes a similar point remain in place, he said. in our Talking Retail feature. “It’s So, what’s been your trading experience? very important for us to have I’d love you to get in touch and share people actually walk through the your story with me. You can connect with door, because our stores are quite me via LinkedIn or email me at clare@ interactive - and many of our lemapublishing.co.uk. I look forward to products sell well because we demo hearing from you!