20-23.qxp_Grid 28/05/2020 16:01 Page 2
VIEWPOINTS
The Lockdown
Afterlife
Inset: The trade’s lockdown is set to ease with nonessential shops able to reopen from June 15.
None of us will ever forget this period and the upheaval it has caused to our personal and business lives, from our mental wellbeing to our financial woes. While ‘it’ is far from over yet, as PG went to press lockdown was easing and card shops were thinking through how to re-open safely and viably. Members of the greeting card community shared glimpses into their lockdown life and their plans for the afterlife.
John and Jennie Procter co-owners of Scribbler: Lockdown life: “Personal: Great - it’s the sabbatical we have always promised ourselves! Business: Obviously incredibly challenging, but we must remind ourselves that retail was not in great shape before all this happened and if we come out of it with more realistic rental levels then, who knows, maybe things could improve.” What has been the worst thing about it? “The inevitable job losses throughout all industries and the conditions that so many families have had to endure during lockdown.” What has been the best thing about it? “Bizarrely I think we are all communicating more with work colleagues and family via Zoom etc and are realising that we can work from home really efficiently. Sir Colonel Tom was pretty impressive too!” What role do you think greeting cards have played in this period? “Thankfully there has been a huge uplift in online sales as people realise what a great communication tool cards are - let’s hope this sentiment persists! We were delighted to support key workers and the NHS and sent out 15,000 cards free of charge.” How are you approaching the loosening of the lockdown, business wise? “We are planning to open 7-10 stores initially and base the rollout on their performance. We have bought loads of PPE and, lots of Scribbler style messages are being created for our PoS.” What do you think the ‘new normal’ will be like in the coming months for our sector - the key challenges and opportunities? “We are predicting trade to be around 40-60% of previous turnover levels and are basing our staffing and suggested rental levels on this. We could, of course, be way off! Father’s Day sales will not be great instore as we may only have just opened but they should be strong online. Rents will have to be based on a percentage of turnover for a sufficient period to then establish a new level, based on current trading conditions. It is VITAL that landlords understand that the world has changed.” Top: As part of its support for key workers, Scribbler gave away 15,000 free cards. Above: John and Jennie Procter, co-owners of Scribbler.
20
PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE
Wendy and Steve Jones-Blackett co-owners of Wendy Jones-Blackett Life in lockdown: “We’re enjoying being at home very much. It’s a gorgeous time of year so we’ve been doing lots of dog walking and working in the garden. It has become increasingly hectic over the past four weeks though and so we’re juggling jobs we haven’t had to do for 15 years - picking orders, arranging couriers, making the handmade cards - as well as working out the furloughing details, accounts, brokerage and customer services! Add in home schooling/keeping everyone fed and you get the picture. Thank goodness for a nice glass of wine in the evening!” Below: Photo of the Jones-Blackett family that was taken by Willie Runte, a dog-walking professional photographer friend as part of his ‘dog walkers during lockdown’ project.