Leader – with Clare Turner

LEADER

At the heart of retail

Also by Lema Publishing

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INTERNATIONAL

Ji

Clare Turner

At the time of going to press, England’s route out of lockdown remains on first national lockdown, Barclaycard Payments (which processes nearly £1 in every £3 spent in the UK) released new research schedule, with Prime Minister Boris identifying the biggest shifts in consumer Johnson declaring we’re “continuing behaviour which have emerged as a result of along our roadmap to freedom”. the pandemic.

Speaking to the virtual Conservative One finding reveals that almost two-thirds Party spring conference, Boris said of shoppers have been choosing to shop he was looking forward to “unlocking closer to home to support their communities. our economy and getting back to Shopping locally is set to be a lockdown the life we love”. But he warned that while we are in a different world from last spring, there was a “ High streets are legacy, the report concludes, with 91% of Brits who have been shopping locally throughout the pandemic saying they will keep need to be “honest about hoping doing this to support smaller and the difficulties ahead”. The consumers independent businesses, even after watchword in government remains ‘cautious’. swap their all restrictions end. Another major positive for

Toy shop owners are slippers for toy traders is the news that two no doubt breathing a trainers as exhibitions of interest are set big sigh of relief and counting down the days they start to to return in a live show format later this year. Home and Gift in until they can finally hit the shops Harrogate will be held from 18 ” July to 21 July and while not a major show for toys, it does have some toy element. More relevant is Autumn Fair, which has a toy hall and will return to NEC Birmingham from 5 September to 8 September. It will be reopen their doors on the scheduled date of 12 April (at the earliest). This mood is reflected among retailers we’ve spoken to in this issue. Many are KPMG UK Head of Retail Paul Martin concerned about the months ahead interesting to see how willing retailers are to and the post-lockdown timeframe visit an exhibition - fingers crossed! changing again, while others are Of course of great interest to TnP readers is worried about consumer confidence the Toymaster Show, which was due to take and the possibility that customers place next month but has been postponed. may be reluctant to go out. But all The next event is planned for 17-19 May 2022 are wholeheartedly looking forward at the usual venue of The Majestic Hotel to shoppers returning to their stores in Harrogate. Explaining the decision, the - and have invested heavily to make Toymaster Board said: “The Toymaster May their premises Covid-secure. Show is renowned within the industry, and we

As KPMG UK Head of Retail feel the Show will be a much better success Paul Martin comments: “With the when we know our members and suppliers are Government’s roadmap out of able to attend safely once again.” lockdown in place and the vaccine Although we’re all missing the opportunity rollout moving at pace, there is finally to see and feel new toy products and make light at the end of the tunnel for non- those personal connections that are so unique essential retailers. High streets are to a trade show setting, I’m sure you will agree hoping consumers swap their slippers that this cautious approach by Toymaster is for trainers as they start to hit the the right one for our industry. shops. All hopes will be pinned on For me, it’s been a disappointment that I consumers wanting to break free from can’t meet you personally yet. With that in home to browse the stores that have mind, I’d love for you to get in touch. You been out of bounds for months.” can link up with me via LinkedIn or email me

And there’s more good news for at clare@lemapublishing.co.uk. I look forward independents. Exactly a year after the to hearing from you!