37-39_41_43_45_GF.qxp_Grid 14/01/2022 17:57 Page 9
PG Retail Barometer
How do you view seeing catalogues and actual card samples? 8% Not important 28% Important
64% Very important
The selection box On the product diversification front, gifts is back in the top slot, having just pushed sustainable goods down a peg. The big climbers this year are giftwrappings, clothing, confectionery with books, food gifts and handbags making it into the list for the first time.
Into which product areas would you like to further diversify? (Previous year’s positions shown in brackets) 1st
Gifts (2nd)
2nd
Sustainable products (1st)
3rd
Stationery (3rd)
35% Increase the number 62% Remain about the same 3% Decrease the number
4th
Candles and other home fragranced products (4th)
5th
Home accessories (7th)
6th
Giftwrappings (14th)
How have service levels from suppliers been over the last year?
7th
Impulse items (6th)
As far as the number of suppliers from whom you order, in the coming year do you expect to…
3% 21% 48% 18% 10%
Improved Significantly Improved Slightly Remained The Same Decreased Slightly Decreased Significantly
Above right: Some of the new candle and wellbeing products from Cinnamon Aitch. Below: Online sourcing and ordering is part of life now for indies.
If you place orders online, what percentage? 32% 18% 23% 27%
Under 10% Around 25% Around 50% 75% And Above
Do you see your online ordering as likely to increase in the coming year? 36% 56% 5% 3%
Increase Remain The Same Decrease Not sure
Is the price right? There has been something of a shift in retailer’s views on pricing, with more than ever before (15%) now recognising the merit in RRPs of cards to increase, but the majority (76%) would like them to remain at 2021 levels. As for the real price ‘pressure points’, continuing the trend of last two years, indies are most fearful of breaking through the £2.99 barrier, with (shown in order of responses) £3.50, £3.99, £1.99, £2.45, £4.25 and £4.50 being the next most sensitive.
In the coming year would you like to see the Recommended Retail Prices (RRPs) of counter cards? 15% Go Up 76% Remain As Now 9% Come Down
Above: Social media is used by over three quarters of indies to promote their shops.
8th 9th 10th 10th 10th 11th 12th 12th 13th
Wellbeing products (8th) Jewellery (9th) =Clothing (=18th) =Chocolates/confectionery (15th) =Bath and body products (16th) Children’s products (=13th) =Food gifts (-) =Fashion accessories (12th) Books (-)
13th Partyware and balloons (5th) 14th Calendars, diaries (17th) 15th Jigsaws and boardgames (-) 16th Handbags (-) 17th Gardening products (=13th) 18th =Pet products (11th) 18th =Kitchenware and tableware (=18th) 19th Art and crafting products (10th) 20th Advents (-)
Channeling ideas No surprise that social media was a well-used tool for indies over the last year, with more respondents than ever (77%) now using social media for business purposes. Over 65% of respondents, a sizeable upsurge year to year, now have a website for their shops.
How do you view texting, emailing or social networking sites as an alternative to greeting cards? 14% 38% 47% 1%
Serious Threat Threat Neutral Bonus
Above: Social media is used by over three quarters of indies to promote their shops.
PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE
45
