July/August 2026
ertonline.co.uk
REPORT COMMENT
The bigger picture F
irst of all, I want to say a huge thank you to every retailer across the UK who took the time to complete the inaugural ERT Report. I know first-hand just how busy you all are, so the fact that so many of you made time to take part genuinely means a great deal. My hope is that this report becomes an annual benchmark for the industry - a chance for us to build a clear picture of where the market stands, understand the trends shaping our sector and, just as importantly, identify the opportunities ahead. The response has been fantastic. Whenever you launch something new, you never quite know how it will be received. It’s a bit like bringing a new product into your showroom - you can believe in it all you like, but ultimately it’s your customers who decide. Thankfully, you’ve embraced the ERT Report from day one, and for that, I’m incredibly grateful.
One of the things I was most keen to include
was the opportunity for retailers to tell us, in their own words, how they’re really feeling about the state of the industry. Before you read any further, I want to make
one thing absolutely clear. Every retailer who took part in this survey was promised complete
confidentiality. That meant
respondents could answer honestly, knowing their comments would never be attributed to them or their business. We’ve kept that promise. The comments shared here remain
anonymous because they provide a genuine snapshot of the challenges, frustrations and opportunities facing independent electrical retail today.
While every business is different, certain themes appeared again and again. Some respondents summed up the current state of the sector simply as “Very difficult.” Others described it as “A battle for every sale,” “Very worrying,” or “A struggle to maintain customer perception and compete with online competition.” One retailer simply said the sector was “Stable but not without its challenges,” highlighting how experiences vary across the country.
Perhaps the comment that best encapsulated the mood of many respondents was this: “In a very difficult place, with reduced
footfall, increased overheads, and some manufacturers offering preferential D2C campaigns, amongst other things, all coalescing to decrease profitability and stifle growth.” It’s difficult to read that without recognising many of the themes reflected throughout this report. Rising costs continue to squeeze margins, online-only retailers remain a significant competitive force, and changing consumer behaviour is reshaping how independents do business. Concerns about manufacturers selling directly to consumers were also raised by several respondents, underlining the importance of strong supplier-retailer partnerships.
Footfall emerged as another recurring issue.
One retailer commented that “Basically the footfall is the worst it has ever been,” while another observed that “Consumers seem to have less patience and are no longer willing to wait if you have to order in. This is due to the likes of Amazon and AO offering short lead times on all categories, not just ours.” It’s perhaps no surprise, then, that stock availability ranked among the most important forms of supplier support in this report. Yet what stood out just as much was
the determination to evolve. One retailer explained how they had become “more than a retailer – a smart home lifestyle provider – offering full design, supply, installation and after-sales service.” Others stressed the importance of embracing digital channels, with one respondent stating: “Tough, you have to be online to survive!” Another urged independents to “embrace the online selling platform more and promote how good they are on digital platforms.” For me, that’s the biggest takeaway from this inaugural report. The statistics tell us what is happening, but these comments explain why. They reveal a sector facing genuine challenges, but one that remains resilient, entrepreneurial and willing to adapt. Independent electrical retailers have always evolved with the market, and if these responses are anything to go by, that spirit remains as strong as ever.
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