Indie cookshops and housewares retailers have told Progressive Housewares in the 18th Retail Barometer, that stock shortages and supply chain issues were equal with price increases as the most negative effects on business in 2022.
Stock shortages and supply chain issues topped the chart for the most negative impact on business in 2022 in this year’s Retail Barometer, but this year, equal first place went to price increases. Beginning during the pandemic, it seems that the industry is still not back to normal when it comes to being able to order and receive products.
While Covid-19 thankfully fell out of the charts, the cost-of-living crisis came in as a new entrant, to take its place as a close second in the factors that had the most negative impact on business in 2022.
In terms of competition, it’s still suppliers selling direct to consumers which impacts most negatively on retailers’ businesses, closely followed by competitors’ websites in joint fourth place. Housewares products in supermarkets, as well as those sold in other multiples also made the top ten in joint sixth place, while housewares products sold in discount and value retailers came in at number 7.
Other Brexit related issues such as extra paperwork, were still causing problems at number 5.
