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We have improved our decision- making processes. It is hard to see a negative, showing that difficult times can have a positive impact.”
efforts to implement. Many were forced to advise customers to expect delays to their online orders, but the British public understood and were grateful that deliveries remained possible.
Supply chains came under increased focus as the PPE sourcing debacle gained mass- media coverage. It also pushed many direct retailers to re- focus their efforts in sourcing products from local market suppliers and strengthened the ‘buy British’ movement.
Christopher Nieper, managing director of family-owned womenswear business, David Nieper, revealed that the Derbyshire-based company had opened a new UK factory in response to “plenty of supply chain delays”. The factory will print and dye fabrics in order to ensure “continuity of supply, rapid turnaround and to remove any Brexit retailed delays/ tariffs,” he said.
Despite the challenges, retailers in a position to do so moved quickly to leverage their online and direct channels, accelerating forward planned investments in this area. All to be able to capture increased demand and sales.
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Alex Pratt, founder of Serious Brands, a specialist in high performance reading lights, explains: “Many people have lost their fear of shopping online and got used to it, so it has accelerated the trend. While many will go back to traditional methods, lots won’t.”
Daniel O’Neil, owner kitchenware supplier, ProCook, said the company has seen “a huge increase” in online sales this year. “The pandemic tested us to the limits but it’s proven what an agile business we are and we’re set up well now for ongoing growth,” he said. “Prior to the pandemic we had a 55 per cent/45 per cent split between retail and web, and this has now switched to 45 per cent/55 per cent.”
However, many are concerned about the impact the growth in online sales is having on UK high streets.
Tim Curtis, director of financial management consultancy, Duxbridge, and non-executive director of Cotswold Collections, said that he believed that the pandemic has “accelerated” the switch to online and inf licted “further damage” on the high street. He said this has contributed to
a “long-term debt burden for retailers with store estates”.
The British high street has been hit particularly hard by the ongoing pandemic and local lockdowns. While some companies have been able to evolve, concern remains around the long-term future of small independent retailers.
“Retail is surely dead in its old format,” says Alex Pratt. “Some will survive but enough will have transferred online to make a lot of their former business models unviable.”
Chris Wheatley, marketing manager at fashion retailer, Peter Hahn, comments: “I fear for small independent traders on the high street. The move to distance selling (especially online) has been given a boost by the Covid-19 measures.“ And on high streets, he adds: “I can see high street stores evolving more as advertising for distance selling in the marketing mix, rather than sales outlets per se.”
Another sector expert suggested that small businesses are struggling to compete with major retailers, such as supermarkets. The view that supermarkets and eCommerce giant, Amazon, have profited enormously as
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