Independent cookshops and housewares stockists in the newly published PH/Bira Retail Barometer say that ‘staff’ was the main factor that had a positive effect on their businesses in 2018. ‘Staff’ just beat ‘Promotional activity’ (the top answer in the previous year’s survey).
‘Diversification outside housewares’ has climbed to be the fourth most positive factor. However, the benefit of ‘new housewares products’ has slipped down to joint seventh place (from joint fourth in 2017; second in 2016 and top in 2015).
The significance of online/websites has increased (joint fifth positive factor, up from eighth in the last Barometer). Meanwhile, ‘eco-friendly products’ are a new positive factor (see list).
Three years ago, TV programmes were cited as the second most positive influences on trade. However, now they are only 12th in the line-up. This does not mean however that TV programmes are not impacting trade, just that the upsurge in sales that was so noticeable when the likes of Bake Off was building in popularity has become more of the norm.
* The survey on the health and viewpoints of independents was open to all independent cookshops and housewares retailers. For the full results of The Retail Barometer, see Progressive Housewares March/April pages 22-25.
Top: People power – staff training at Potters Cookshop (the Bira Cookshop and Housewares Retailer of the Year and gia UK winner 2018-2019).
