Housewares suppliers selling online directly to the public is regarded a threat by an overwhelming 92% of respondents in the recenty published PH/Bira Retail Barometer. Of this figure, some 47% described this as a ‘serious threat.’The remaining 8% regard suppliers’ direct sales neutrally.
Meanwhile 86% think that online operators in the housewares sector (such as Amazon) are a threat to independent cookshops and housewares stockists. The majority of these (49%) describe this as a ‘serious threat’ (see piechart). However this is lower than the previous Retail Barometer when 63% said online operators were a ‘serious threat,’
The continuing expansion of supermarkets in housewares is seen as a ‘serious threat’ by 34% and a further 52% as a ‘threat’ (totaling 86%, compared to 91% in the previous Barometer). More indies are ‘neutral’ regarding the impact of housewares in garden centres: 45% (which has risen from 13% two years ago). However, garden centres are still regarded as ‘serious threat’ by 22% (compared to 16% in the previous Barometer) and as a as a ‘threat’ to a further 33%.
When asked which of these factors poses the biggest threat to their business, the large majority (66%, up 9% from the previous Retail Barometer) highlight online, with many of these citing Amazon specifically. A further 14% cite housewares suppliers that are selling online directly to the public, which is more than those picking supermarkets as the biggest threat.
* 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: Many independents cite Amazon as a threat to business.
