The independent retail sector is battling rising energy costs, post-Brexit stock order delays and weak consumer confidence. The magnitude of challenges is
With school summer holidays
approaching the following week on 26 July, fashion etailers are pinning their hopes on strong sales this season.
“Freedom Day is a very good sign for the industry. Lots of people have been waiting for this day and, over the last few months, it has been a goal for us to work towards, the director of one footwear retailer said. Gradually, customers have felt more and more confident to shop, and this will be further emphasised by the easing of restrictions.”
Fewer people are going on holiday and those that are will stay within the UK, so I’m hopeful for a good summer
Indies adapt to online shift
Independent retailers are adapting to a fundamental shift towards online trading, as uncertainty over when stores will reopen continues.
The on-off openings of physical stores over the last 10 months has forced independent retailers to divert their focus to online. Several retailers have told Drapers the shift of focus to online will continue long after stores reopen.
Abigail Edmunds, owner of Domino, a Stratford-upon-Avon-based womenswear store, said the business’s budget has been redirected to accommodate and embrace the move to online. Revenue from online sales has been reinvested into boosting its online presence.
“We have had to increase our budget for our online store –and obviously increase our size [availability] so we are able to stock more products per size.