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Springboard predicts bounceback

Prior to the reopening of non-essential shops on 12 April, Springboard predicted a significant footfall increase as the high street returns, and outdoor hospitality re-opens, with 59% increases being seen in high streets.

A recent Springboard report predicts that shopping centres and retail parks’ footfall will rise by 46% and 26% respectively in the fi rst week of opening, while greater rises are expected following the success of the UK vaccination programme and the opening of retail and hospitality.

The predicted increase in footfall suggests that it will be 128.5% higher than in the same week in 2020, although it will remain 61.8% below the 2019 level. ‘As we reach the 12 month mark since the start of the pandemic in the UK, lockdown fatigue is at its height and the increases in footfall over the last few weeks has indicated the pent up demand for a return to normality,’ commented Diane Wehrle, Springboard’s marketing and insights director.

Gifts as treats

New shopper research amongst a sample of 1250 people has revealed that consumers’ focus on mental health and wellbeing during consecutive lockdowns has led to an increase in the number of people buying gifts for others or just as a way of treating themselves.

The study, conducted by Bridgethorne Research, reveals 42% of respondents buying gifts for themselves or for others if they think the product will enhance their own or somebody else’s sense of wellbeing; 39% said they have been buying products as treats because they are unable to go out and a third said they have done so as a reward for themselves or others.

‘We are also starting to see what some of the long term legacies from our behaviour in lockdown are likely to be,’ says Andy Grout, head of research at Bridgethorne. ‘For example, we expect the emphasis on mental health and wellbeing to be sustained beyond Covid.’

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Wentworth puzzle raises £12,000 for charity

Last July, Wentworth Wooden Puzzles based in Malmesbury, Wiltshire released an exclusive jigsaw puzzle, to say ‘Thank You’ to NHS Staff and all the other key workers for their essential work during the Covid crisis. The aim was to raise £3000 to donate to their local charity, the Wiltshire Community Foundation’s Coronavirus Response Fund. However, the puzzle received such an overwhelming response from customers, that far exceeded anyone’s expectations, it sold out in all three sizes and raise over £12,000 - over four times the initial target.

‘With the added proceeds, we have decided to increase the amount donated to the Wiltshire Community Foundation, as well as make two additional £4000 voluntary donations to other charities close to the business’s heart and cause, Mind and Dementia UK, and the remainder going to the Cotswold Home for Cats and Dogs,’ says MD Sarah Watson.

Creative Retail Awards deadline extended

With the announcement that the Creative Retail Awards will run live on 14 October, an unprecedented number of companies have requested an extension to the submission deadline. In light of this the organisers have extended the entry deadline until 30 April 2021 for all projects completed within 2019 and 2020.

If a project was previously entered into the postponed 2020 Awards the entry has automatically been rolled over and entered into this year’s. All entries will be judged together to create one giant ceremony. This also means there is more time for companies to enter the prestigious Supplier of the Year Award. Simply ask your customers to vote for you at:

creativeretailawards.com/supplieroftheyear.

The Creative Retail Awards’ Partnerships with leading bodies including Shop & Display Equipment Association, National Association of Shopfi tters, British Display Society and the 2020 London Design Festival has helped to solidify the Awards’ position as the pinnacle showcase of worldwide retail design and display, with the UK as its centre.

PMC celebrate 17 years

Personalised Memento Company are celebrating 17 years in the personalised gift business, reflecting on their amazing journey from one humble engraving machine to their current extensive personalised powerhouse! With the giftware market becoming increasingly trend-led, adapting to suit consumer expectations and innovation is now second nature to the team.

With the massive momentum in online sales, fuelled in part by the lockdowns, they have their sights set high for their future continuing as the leading UK personalised trade gift supplier.

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188,685 retail jobs lost

Research conducted by the Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has found shown that almost 190,000 retail jobs in the UK were lost between the start of the first lockdown on 23 March 2020 and 31 March 2021. 15,153 stores permanently closed their doors in the same period.

The figures revealed that 83,725 jobs lost in the period were due to administrations, including major collapses by Debenhams and the Arcadia Group; around 11,986 jobs were cut during Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) restructuring processes; another 92,974 jobs were axed through rationalisation programmes, which included supermarkets Sainsbury’s and Asda cutting thousands of roles.

The devastating impact of the pandemic resulted in 15,153 store closures in shopping destinations across the UK, the figures also revealed.

Take a tour with Puckator

Make an appointment to visit the company’s virtual showroom while we wait for the trade fairs to return. It is easily accessible, just visit puckator.co.uk, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click on the link to the virtual showroom.

If you want some extra help, Puckator are also offering appointments through the screen, where one of their team members can show you around and point out the newest products as well as the ‘old but gold’ bestsellers. Email: customerservices@puckator.co.uk or call 0800 011 6969 to book a time that suits you. Place an order during the appointment and Puckator will offer carton price.

Gift cards in the post-Covid world

As UK high streets reopen following a year of chaos, new research reveals that gift cards could be the key to reattracting anxious shoppers back to stores and boosting sales. The State of the Nation 2021 research, that surveyed 2000 UK shoppers to determine evolving buying habits and attitudes towards gift cards, found that: ■ 65% of shoppers become new customers of a brand after receiving a gift card. ■ 67.8% of shoppers spend more than the original value of their gift card. ■ Gift cards most likely to sway Millennials and Generation Z towards a new brand. Gail Cohen, director general of the GCVA, commented: ‘Between their convenience, ease of use and versatility, gift cards have gone from strength to strength over the past year. Shoppers love gift cards, whether buying or receiving them, and it is clear that retailers and other high street businesses cannot afford to ignore their importance and continuing relevance to consumers, which is only growing over time.

‘Throughout the pandemic gift cards have been, and continue to be, an invaluable customer loyalty and engagement tool. With their ever-growing popularity amongst retailers, businesses and the public alike, gift cards remain vital for high street businesses as they emerge from this challenging period.’