Viewpoint: United approach will be crucial this time

As supermarket supply chains crumbled, the convenience sector stepped up and became a crucial lifeline for those in need. It has been inspiring to witness the lengths our fellow retailers, wholesalers and suppliers have gone to keep the nation moving. Social distancing measures, delivery services and new approaches to technological demands being just a few examples of the efforts implemented, often in a matter of days.

This adaptability is one of our sector’s key strengths and comes from the willingness to work together as an industry. With the government tightening coronavirus restrictions once again we face further uncertainty in the months ahead and this united approach will be crucial in providing our sector with the strength and resilience needed to tackle the challenges head-on once more.

Uncertain times present new challenges, so while we can approach these with the experience of the last few months, it is also essential to recognise that if the tightening of restrictions continues, we are not necessarily facing a like-for-like re-run of the last time.

It appears that consumers are becoming tired of restrictions and less phased by the overall threat of the virus, meaning sales are less likely to be driven by panic or concern. Winter weather will put customers off queueing outside and may therefore build on the demand for home delivery. And with Halloween and Christmas also on the way, we will have to prepare for a new approach to capturing a completely changed customer mindset.

Within the Scottish Grocers’ Federation, we are working to unite our sector and provide the guidance and support needed to be able to prepare for and face up to these challenging months ahead. On a political level, we also continue to inform and influence key policy, not only in the context of Covid-19 but in all aspects affecting our industry.

Dan Brown is a retailer and newly appointed president of the Scottish Grocers’ Federation