All change Ellie Sanderson has thought long and hard about the different way of working that is essential to the growth of our industry dresses for our brides – I salute you. In fact, I salute any small business that has come out the other side of this insane time intact. Many shops didn’t, my town of Beaconsfield has casualties as does Woodstock – at least ten percent didn’t make it. So well done to all of us who did.
about marriage ceremonies, which have frankly paralysed our industry. From venues to photographers and florists to bridal retail, these ridiculous ‘guidelines’ have been the kiss of death, not life. The day after that fateful announcement we saw a huge uplift on postponements for the rest of the year. Our brides have spoken Facts and figures and they don’t want to have small I re-opened on 15 June and so far weddings. so good – we have sold dresses. I We also have potential local do however remain in the ‘cautious lockdowns on the horizon and it looks camp’ about trading. I think it’s unlikely likely that true recovery won’t really that we will return to a recognisable get going until spring 2021. I remain “business as usual’ any time soon. hopeful that next year will be incredible Sorry to chuck a bucket of cold water if we can all handle the volume. over things but we are facing many oming out of lockdown This year, though, is going to be challenges, some of which haven’t has been an interesting tough. Many of the retailers I talk even happened yet. and somewhat stressful to about turnover predict that 2020 To start with, there is a significant time for many of us. Not figures will be between 40%-50% downturn in consumer demand; this least because a number lower than we had hoped for. Let’s sits alongside people about to come of us missed out on the lockdown pray these rules are lifted soon off furlough only to face redundancy. ‘holiday’ that many non-business and the virus R rate remains under Despite unprecedented government owners enjoyed. one percent so we can get back to support, financial wellbeing has It’s been a stressful time because business. deteriorated drastically. Consumer we have each managed hundreds confidence is dropping sharply of postponed weddings and all the Strategic planning to levels not seen since the 2008 unpicking that go with it. It’s really Making one’s business Covid-secure financial crisis. According to 55% taken a lot of stamina and drive means that retailers who rely on a of respondents in a recent survey* to plough through most days and large volume of clients will start to they expect the general economic weekends. It’s also taken a huge feel the pain first. Bridal shops that situation to get a lot worse in the next have six fitting rooms are probably amount of wine! 12 months. And talking of wine, I want to raise down to three or four. Even if they Then on top of that are the a glass to those suppliers who carried manage to convert the same number ridiculous Coronavirus guidelines on during the pandemic to make of brides this will mean that 30% less
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24 ♦ W E D D I N G T R A D E R ♦ J U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 2 0
