PG&H Retail Barometer Findings

Survey Reveals A Steady 2022

The latest PG&H Retail Barometer - an annual survey which tracks the health and wealth of independent gift retailers - revealed that 2022 was, on the whole, a good one for gift indies, with two thirds of respondents reporting that business in 2022 was better or the same as in 2021.

The average customer spend increased for 70% of respondents, and despite the naysayers, Christmas turned out to be a strong one for many, with 70% of respondents confirming that

Home fragrancing was the strongest product sector reported two thirds of respondents (67%), showing the biggest increase in 2022, followed by toys and games (60%), and greeting cards (57%). Some 83% invested in new products last year, with the biggest expansion seen in eco/sustainable giftware (31%). Made in Britain too, was important to 93% of survey respondents, as was online trading.

Giftwrapping Initiative Raises £1,000

Indie gift retailer

Andrea Pinder, owner of Presentation Cards & Gifts in Barrowford, recently presented the Rosemere Cancer Foundation in Preston with a £1,000 donation thanks to her giftwrapping initiative.

Andrea raised the majority of the donation by offering customers a giftwrapping service in store, with the option of making a donation to the charity. She rounded up the monies raised with a £70 personal donation to reach the grand total.

Christmas 2022 was better or on a par with Christmas 2021.

The biggest ‘positive’ was online/website expansion for those surveyed, while on the downside, the impact of the Covid-19/ Omicrom variant, coupled with the cost-of-living crisis, had the biggest detrimental effect.

Mama We Love You

With Mother’s Day (19 March) the second most important gift giving occasion for gift retailers, the tills were certainly busy ringing up sales this year.

“Mother’s Day was cracking. Best ever, even allowing for inflation,” confirmed Pete Whiteman, coowner of Amore and Dzo Dzo in Woodbridge. “Mums are never forgotten. People always find a little treasure for their mum,” Pete added.

“Mother’s Day build up was in full swing from the weekend of March 11-12,” confirmed Julianne Moore, owner of MiMi in Hartley Wintney and Wokingham. “Saturday 18 March was super busy, with a 15% increase on year on year sales for the same event last year.”

Meanwhile, the mood is thankfully a positive one for 2023, with the majority of retailers predicting that business will remain about the same or will see marginal growth this year. For the full findings of the PG&H Retail Barometer, turn to pages 17-25.

Above left: The average spend increased in 2022 compared to 2021.

Above: Respondents biggest concerns for 2023.

“Customers have the option of making a donation for the service and I’m very grateful to all those who did,” said Andrea.

Above: Andrea Pinder with the £1,000 cheque.

Gift Indies Celebrate At House of Lords

International Women’s Day on 8 March will long hold special memories for Jo Williams, owner of Joco Gifts in Nuneaton, and Olivia Reilly, owner of Little Boat Gifts in Brightlingsea, named as two of 100 ƒ:Entrepreneur’s ‘IAlso100’ this year. Both attended a special International Women’s Day reception at the House of Lords recognising their strong contribution to entrepreneurship.

At The Rowan Tree in Budleigh Salterton, owner Karen Ritchie also saw a good lead up to Mother's Day. “There were a lot of customers buying gifts and cards well in advance, and spending a little more than usual,” she highlighted. “We had quite a few sons and dads rushing in at the last minute to buy a gift and card.”

Valentine’s Day Delivered

With Valentine’s - and Galentine’s Day - becoming bigger than ever occasions on the gifting side, this year’s ‘day of love’ didn’t disappoint.

At the six Brocante stores in Cornwall, co-owner Kieron Cockley commented: “Valentine’s was a small part of the business, but a nice little boost in sales at the start of half term. Predictably, we sold a lot of Valentine’s cards and hearts with quotes on, and a few larger pieces such as our Wonkiware ceramics.”

In Beauly in the Highlands of Scotland, Helen Crawford, co-owner of the Old School Beauly, also saw the tills jingling. “We had a particularly good run up to Valentine’s Day this year with a very welcome last minute dash from our Highland menfolk!,” said co-owner Helen Crawford, while Janet Hartree, owner of Ewe & Me and Ewe & Me Too in Grantown added, “in the run up to Valentine’s we saw an increase in jewellery sales along with toiletries.”

Above: One of Brocante’s romantic Valentine’s windows.

“The speeches were very empowering of women in business, how we are so resilient every day due to other commitments, such as young children, elderly parents and being at the end of the phone for any issues such as schools calling for sick children or having homes to run as well as our businesses,” Jo told PG&H. “The buzz and energy in the room was phenomenal. We didn't want it to end.”

Guest speakers included Seema Malhotra MP, Shadow Minister for Small Business and Consumers, and entrepreneur Lucy Griffiths, a business coach and former TV reporter covering the war in Ukraine, who paid tribute to the power of female entrepreneurship.

The event spotlighted multi-achieving female business owners from across the UK, who are being championed by Small Business Britain’s ƒ:Entrepreneur campaign, which showcases an annual line-up of 100 phenomenal women making a significant contribution to society, economy and communities, called the ‘IAlso100’.