NEWS
29 NOVEMBER 2024 ASIAN TRADER 7
NEWS
The past year has seen signifi-
cant changes in the UK’s
political and economic
landscape.
With a new Labour government
at the helm and ongoing eforts
to stabilise the economy,
retailers face both challenges
and opportunities. Whilst
consumer confidence has
shown signs of improvement,
it’s clear that shoppers remain
cautious.
However, as seasoned
retailers, we’ve weathered
storms before, navigated
recessions, interest rate
fluctuations, and shifts in
consumer behaviour. Resilience
and adaptability have always
been our strengths, and this
year is no exception.
The key to success this
Christmas lies in understanding
and anticipating customer
behaviour. We expect to see a
continuation of last-minute
shopping trends, with many
consumers delaying their
purchases until closer to the
festive season. This presents a
golden opportunity for
independent retailers to
capture late sales.
For this, it’s crucial to
improve your communications.
Utilise every channel at your
disposal – from eye-catching
window displays to engaging
social media content and email
campaigns. Your message
should highlight what makes
your oferings unique and why
customers should choose your
shop for their festive purchases.
Whilst many independents
may shy away from Black
Friday-style promotions,
consider creating your own
unique ofers or events. These
needn’t be deep discounts but
could be exclusive products,
personalised services, or
in-store experiences that set
you apart from mass-market
retailers.
As we move into December,
focus on honing your skills.
Excellent customer service,
product knowledge, and a
welcoming atmosphere make
all the diference. Remember,
you’re not just selling products,
you’re creating a festive
shopping experience that can’t
be replicated online.
The new government has
pledged support for high
streets, and there’s still strong
public sentiment for shopping
locally. Tap into this by empha-
sising your role in the communi-
ty. Consider collaborating with
other local businesses for joint
promotions or events.
Sustainability continues to
be important to many consum-
ers, so highlight any eco-friend-
ly or locally-sourced products in
your range.
Be prepared for potential
last-minute changes in
shopping patterns. Stay flexible
with your stock levels and
stafng. Consider extending
your opening hours in the final
weeks before Christmas.
Finally, don’t forget digital.
Whilst your shop is your
primary asset, ensure your
online presence is up to date.
Many customers research
online before visiting stores, so
tweak your website or social
media profiles to reflect your
current stock and special ofers.
In this festive season, let’s
remember that the spirit of
independent retail – personal-
ised service, unique products,
and community connection - is
what many customers are
seeking. By playing to these
strengths and adapting to the
current economic climate, we
can turn the challenges of 2024
into opportunities for success.
Here at Bira, we’re optimis-
tic about the potential of this
Christmas trading period. We’re
here to support you every step
of the way and wish all our mem-
bers a prosperous, joyful, and
successful festive season..
As we approach the festive season, Bira’s CEO Andrew Goodacre
shares insights on how independent retailers can make the most of
the crucial Christmas period
Unwrapping opportunities –
Unwrapping opportunities –
maximising Christmas trade in 2024
maximising Christmas trade in 2024
Jisp targets
Jisp targets
sustainable growth
sustainable growth
Retail technology company Jisp,
which recently celebrated the
three-year anniversary of its Scan
& Save app, said that following a
strategic review it has launched a
new long-term growth plan to
enable it to scale sustainably for
the future.
The plan details how to develop
the business around five pillars of
growth: Scan & Save, Scan & Win,
White Label, Data & Insights and
Direct to Retailer.
To support the plan a new
management and business
structure has also been designed
and implemented.
Canned beans
Canned beans
sales let rip
sales let rip
Sales of canned beans are soaring,
particularly among the middle
class, reflecting a growing
awareness of the ingredient’s
versatility and health benefits as
well as afordability.
YOY sales of canned beans
are +122%. The supermarket chain
says demand for butter beans has
risen 79% while sales of chick-
peas have soared +400%.
Sainsbury’s has also had big rises
in demand.
Sales are being driven by social
media, and #beans has nearly 4m
posts on Instagram while a video
for a caramelised onion butter
bean recipe has 4.5m views.
Kestrel Foods
Kestrel Foods
buys Indie Bay
buys Indie Bay
Snack manufacturer Kestrel Foods
has acquired Indie Bay Snacks
from Nurture Brands. The brand
will join Kestrel Foods’ portfolio of
Forest Feast, ACTI-SNACK and
Just Live a Little, continuing its
trajectory to become a leading
player in the snacking category.
Indie Bay Snacks ofers
consumers tasty and healthier
savoury snacks within the grocery,
travel and DTC channels. Its pretzel
thins are a lighter, fun way to enjoy
pretzels, with 70% less fat than
crisps.
Kestrel Foods’ own flagship
brand, Forest Feast, has grown
over 30% in the last year.
By Andrew
Goodacre, CEO
of Bira (British
Independent
Retailers
Association)