talking trade Independent retailers are good, but


cannot do it all by themselves Andrew Goodacre, CEO of British Independent Retailers Association (Bira), examines the challenges ahead for independent retailers in the housewares sector


below normal levels. Some businesses are doing well, especially in the hardware and homeware sectors. But for every success there are many more struggling, especially in the clothing and footwear sectors. In simple terms, people do not buy clothes to stay at home. We have seen some changes to society that


are unlikely to reverse for some time, if at all. There is still an aversion to using public transport, making the car the preferred mode of transport. This explains why retail parks are faring better than city centres and some towns


make sure that the consumers know everything that is available on their doorstep. I was once told that retailing was all about location, and that is absolutely correct at this moment in time.


Independent retailers are resilient, agile and determined. But it is clear they will struggle to survive this crisis without some external support form the government. We have already received good support from the Furlough Scheme, but that is due to stop in November and we are still seeing many job losses announced in advance of that date. Commercial tenants have received extra


“To make the most of this, local shops really do need to engage with their community and make


sure that the consumers know everything that is available on their doorstep“


as in the UK. We are seeing local measures being implemented, as well as the ‘rule of six’ being applied nationally. More worrying is that a scientist was quoted


T


as saying that the only proven way of stopping the spread is a lockdown – and none of us want to see that happen again. I have been saying that shopping is safe and we need to maintain that perception by ensuring that hand sanitiser and all the safety protocols are available and implemented – any risk to trade before Christmas would be disastrous. We already know it is challenging on the high street – footfall is likely to stay 30 per cent


12 | housewareslive.net


he experts have been warning us about a second wave in the UK. The number of cases is increasing, in Europe, as well


– large spaces with free parking. Yet we see too many local authorities changing road layouts and removing car parking spaces to enabling social distancing – and they wonder why business are complaining about the lack of customers. People are working from home and any return


to the office is likely to be on a very flexible basis. This changes the landscape of the city centre/ town centre economy with significantly less office workers. Conversely, the good news for independents is that working from home keeps more shoppers in their local communities, buying locally and hopefully spreading the expenditure. To make the most of this, local shops really do need to engage with their community and


• HousewaresLive.net • twitter.com/Housewaresnews September 2020


support with rents as the government has just announced an extension of the legal moratorium until the 31 December. Yet we need more help moving forwards, especially with regards to business rates. At the moment, business rates are set to return in April next year, at their full level. Bira has been campaigning for the current holiday period to be extended, or for an increase to the rates discount that existed pre Covid-19. It is clear that retailers will not be able to support the full level of business rates, and the government need to provide leadership and clarity so that businesses can plan for the future. There is a budget in the Autumn and all efforts are being made to ensure there is a positive statement from the chancellor. I think retailing was ‘Made in Britain’ – Napoleon allegedly described us as a nation of shopkeepers. If we are to maintain this proud tradition, we need a bit of luck, a lot of determination and some constructive support for central and local governments.


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