"Swift rebound" on re-opening say analysts
February 23, 2021
"We can expect significant pent-up demand for retail therapy to be released when non-essential stores reopen after a dark winter," says a leading retail analyst who is predicting a rapid return to high levels of trading once stores re-open.
Many retail commentators have welcomed the Government roadmap to re-open non-essential retail. While there is disappointment that the Easter trading weekend will be lost, the anticipated certainty of the April 12 schedule to exit lockdown means retailers will be ready to rebound and meet the challenge of enhanced demand from consumers.
Evidence from retail analytics consultancy Ipsos Retail Performance shows that although some shoppers were slow to return to non-essential stores after the first lockdown, the return to the shops was far stronger on re-opening after the second lockdown in November. Then footfall during the first week after that lockdown was lifted stood at 65% of the corresponding week of 2019.
The flooring sector outperformed the High Street in general in both these periods and so can expect the effect to be even greater.
Ipsos director Tim Denison says: "I expect to see shoppers pick up where they left off last time around, with non-essential store footfall bouncing back to two-thirds of the levels before the pandemic struck.
"This time around, of course, we have the added advantage that the vaccine rollout is well underway, and this may give some of the elderly who had been reluctant, after previous lockdowns, added reassurance to venture out. From a behavioural science perspective, we believe that all the elements are in place for this to happen.
“While we may have to wait until the second half of the year before things really start to brighten up in the economy, we can expect significant pent-up demand for retail therapy to be released when non-essential stores reopen after a dark winter.”
“While we may have to wait until the second half of the year before things really start to brighten up in the economy, we can expect significant pent-up demand for retail therapy to be released when non-essential stores reopen after a dark winter.”
Andrew Goodacre, chief executive of British Independent Retailers Association, is calling on the chancellor for more help in his budget on March 3 and said: “Whilst it is good for us to have a date, we are very disappointed that non-essential shops will miss the Easter period, especially as they also missed out on most of the busy festive period.
"We therefore want the chancellor to recognise this in the Budget next week and make clear statements about the support that will be available for the next 12 months," he said.
SEARCH OUR NEWS SERVICE
FEATURED ARTICLES
Learn all aspects of flooring installation at the Uzin Utz Campus in Stafford. The state-of-the-art facility provides diverse training opportunities throughout the year. From subfloor preparation, LVT fitting, wet room installations, wood floor sanding and sealing, as well as resin flooring installation, each course is designed to inspire and equip you with essential skills. With prices starting at just £75 per person, you will not only gain valuable knowledge but also lunch and refreshments, a certificate of achievement, a Uzin Utz Campus T-shirt, and exciting giveaways.
FITA is an independent, not-for-profit organisation, providing specialist training for the floorcovering industry. Co-founded by the Contract Flooring Association and the National Institute of Carpet and Floorlayers, FITA has two specialist training centres at Loughborough and Kirkcaldy, fully equipped to deliver over 20 different flooring courses including carpet, LVT, sheet vinyl, wood, linoleum and subfloor preparation.
When it comes to ensuring that flooring meets standards of other design features, such as furnishings and fittings, following best practice in subfloor preparation and flooring installation is as important as the floorcovering selection itself. Tim Green, head of training at the UK’s leading manufacturer of subfloor preparation products and adhesives, F. Ball and Co, explains how training in these areas can help achieve a design edge and how to access the best free provisions available.
As the foundation of any interior, flooring plays a vital role in creating calm, uplifting spaces. Our latest article explores how leading brands blend natural aesthetics with modern performance, so no matter what your style, there are numerous options for both indoor and outdoor home décor.
It’s no secret that one of the biggest issues facing the UK flooring industry is the shortage of skilled labour, and this is a problem that’s only likely to get worse as the older generation hangs up its tools and finds fewer and fewer young hands willing to take up the trade. While the overall declining interest in practical trades is a matter to be addressed by all stakeholders – particularly at a Government level – flooring manufacturers and specialised training outfits have long been playing their parts to raise standards within the industry.
Greendale Carpets are the longest established buying group in the UK, having been formed in 1962. The group is a member owned cooperative run on a not-for-profit basis with any surplus at the end of the financial year being put back into the group for the sole benefit of the member.
The Associated Carpet Group held its Platinum Supplier Show this past 14-15 March, celebrating its 40th anniversary at the illustrious Hilton Hotel at St George’s Park, the home of the FA and England football teams. The annual showcase is both a platform for ACG’s suppliers to present their newest offerings to the buying group’s members and, of course, a highly enjoyable social event!
Retailers who are considering joining a buying group would be right in thinking that the combined buying power of multiple retailers all over the UK is a positive because, let’s face it, millions of pounds of buying power is better than thousands of pounds.
BUSINESS NEWS
Imports of soft flooring including wall-to-wall carpet and rugs were up 8.8% to £74.75m in March, according to HMRC data compiled by The Furnishing Report. With this increase, imports of carpet grew faster during the period than alternatives like vinyl.
GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index decreased by four points to -23 in April. All measures were down in comparison to last month’s announcement. These are the current findings of the GfK Consumer Confidence Barometer (CCB) powered by NIM. The CCB has been published jointly by GfK and the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions (NIM), the founder of GfK, since October 2023.
Likewise Group, the UK flooring distributor, has announced its audited final results for the year ended 31 December 2024.
GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index increased by one point to -19 in March. Two measures were up, two were down and one was unchanged in comparison to last month’s announcement.
The prices of carpets and other floorcoverings fell 1.8% in March 2025, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics. This is the second consecutive month of falling prices, with carpets seeing a drop of 1.7% in February, down from 2.5% growth in the same period last year.
As of 1 April, Herman and Age Mulder will take over the management of Rinos as Managing Directors. They represent the fifth generation to join as shareholders of the family business, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Milco Visscher will start as commercial director on 1 May. The current managing director, Peter Kuipers, will oversee the transition and step down on 31 July.
Imports of flooring to the UK this February were up 7% when compared to the same period last year, reaching a total value of £127.9m, according to figures compiled by The Furnishing Report.
Likewise Group, one of the UK’s largest flooring distributors, has announced a “particularly positive” start to the year with gross sales revenue in Q1 2025 increasing by 10.7% against the corresponding period last year. Sales in the Likewise Branded businesses have increased by 14.6%.
The British Furniture Confederation (BFC), the public affairs umbrella body of furniture and beds, furnishings and flooring sector trade associations, has unveiled its new Plan for Growth. The document is said to support BFC’s advocacy across four key pillars: skills and education; trade and exports; standards and regulations; and the environment and circular economy. It has been developed over the past few months, the organisation says, evolving from a combination of position papers written by the associations’ executives and a comprehensive survey of their collective members.
Consumer card spending grew 1.0% year-on-year in February – lower than January’s 1.9% increase and less than the latest CPIH inflation rate of 3.9%, according to recent figures reported by Barclays. In anticipation of higher bills, consumers are said to be cutting back on essential outgoings, but still prioritising discretionary purchases, contributing to an uptick in optimism in the health of personal and household finances.
Thanks to premium wood, laminate and vinyl floors, Quick-Step is the brand that has it all.
Louis De Poortere has introduced four new designs into Antiquarian, one of the most popular collections in its 100% recyclable Ecorugs.
With compact, acoustic and safety derivatives of its heavy-duty heterogeneous vinyl available in a wide range of attractive designs, IVC Commercial can make any school cool.
Beauflor’s Polaris is a cushion vinyl collection designed and made in Belgium to cope with the rigours of communal and residential use in social housing schemes.
The Pro-Screed floor preparation range from floorwise is the easy way to start a fantastic floor.
Abingdon Flooring has strengthened its Simply Smooth cushion vinyl ranges with the addition of five on-trend collections.