Opportunities abound for all retail models
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“We have no imminent plans for online. Although it’s not an ‘if’, it’s a ‘when’. Click and collect will be our route from the start. We’ve seen lessons learned from our independent [retailer] colleagues.”
David Hordle, chief executive of Morleys Stores
range. As well as the mix of fashion brands, this also includes encouraging customers to have a makeover, or stay for a meal. This is the future [of department stores],” he explains. Although clothing is performing well, Hordle says
Brexit uncertainty has affected big ticket purchases such as furniture. “Customers are treating themselves in terms of a lunch but the considered purchase is more challenging,” he says.
THE RECRUITMENT ISSUE He also says vacancies are now open for longer as a result of uncertainty by Europeans concerned about coming to the UK for work. This is most problematic for Kulawik who says he is finding it “very, very difficult” to hire at his distribution centre in Essex. “I’d hire 100
people today and this was not the case before. Brexit has scared lots of EU migrants from coming over to the UK.“ One solution could be automation in
the warehouse: “This is the next step. The timescale for return on investment could be as short as 18 months. We’re definitely looking at automation and partial-automation. It would take seven or eight figures to automate a warehouse.” Despite some of the concerns and the
challenges clearly facing the three very different retailing businesses, the executives from each remains resolutely positive for the future and holds a viewpoint that the opportunities certainly outweigh the threats in the marketplace.
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