Talking Retail Grocery and product news for independent retailers
Bestway boss Dawood Pervez certainly thinks so. He reports a big surge in enquiries about the group’s fascias, including Best-one, while property agents are seeing a huge upturn in enquiries for new stores. Steve Rodell, managing director for retail at Christie & Co, told Independent Retail News his firm’s website saw a 40% increase in visits during May compared with a typical month, and that is now filtering through into increased enquiries and more viewings.
Buoyed by their stores’ performance during the crisis, a number of retailers appear to be gearing up for refurbishments and others are even looking to open new shops. A quick glance at Twitter shows store owners such as Avtar Sidhu of Budgens Kenilworth planning a major refit, while trailblazing Simply Fresh retailer Mital Morar has just been handed the keys to what looks set to be General Store number two in Manchester’s Media City.
Independent retailers have no doubt been encouraged by the increase in customers during the pandemic and predictions they will hang on to at least 10% of that trade as things return to ‘normal’. They also have a bit more cash in their pockets thanks to business rates holidays and bank loans that will enable some to invest in their businesses and even expand their reach.
If that does prove to be the case, it’s really no less than the industry deserves. Retailers and their teams have worked tirelessly over the past few months, providing a real lifeline to their local communities. If as a result they find they have a chance to strengthen their foundations, no one should begrudge them that opportunity.
David Shrimpton, editor
