Changes in the way we shop
The rules keep changing and vary across locations now, but the easing of lockdown in retail is set to continue. The changes in the way we shop are becoming clearer and backed up by a number of surveys, with retailers looking to find a solution to the decline in sales.
What are the changes in the way we shop, and how will retail change?
Prior to the pandemic the UK already had the worlds 2nd highest e-commerce revenue after the United States. Now one third of all retailers have upgraded their websites recently and a quarter have started to offer click and collect services for the first time. Retailers are now looking at ways that customers could buy goods using their phones from inside the store.
Most people visited a local convenience store for the first time during lockdown, and most people say that they will continue to use local stores. (research by PayPoint).
One third of people say that they want the limit on contactless payments increased from £45, with 40% of those wanting it increased to £100. (research by ACI)
While over three quarters of shoppers have bought groceries online for the first time, 60% say that they are shopping online more now that lockdown is being eased. Convenience seems to be the main factor. (research by Waitrose).
There’s also been a large increase in online subscription services.
Over a third of shoppers tried new brands during lockdown and 80% plan to stick with the new brands. Over 40% bought new brands because their normal brands were not available.
Three quarters of people now only feel comfortable shopping online from home.
Is there any good news for shops?
Retail sales are lower than they were, with shopping centres worst hit. Retail parks have done better, thanks to free parking and ease of access. Eat out to help out also had a positive effect on retail businesses in August, together with back to school shopping and heavy discounting.
The Government sponsoredHigh Street Task Force noted that “multifunctional” high streets (which offer a range of services other than retail) fared better than “comparison retail”, suggesting that the wider the range of services being offered, the better high streets will do in the future.
There is no doubt that many retailers are hoping that the Christmas shopping period will see sales increase.
The Chair of the Co-Op takes a practical approach – “we go through a cycle where there are lots of store openings and then there is a downturn”.
