Month: March 2016

The History of Sunday Trading

Traditional Sunday was a symbolic day. For many it was a religious day of worship, rest, workship, roast dinners, mowing the lawn and time with the family.

So, inner cities we quiet places.

However in 1994 a law was passed to allow small shops to open all day and larger ones, those up to with more than 3,000 sq ft in size – in England and Wales to have restricted six hours opening, between 10:00 and 18:00. Retailers can be fined up to £50,000 if they break the rules.

Despite resistance from trade unions, religious groups and even Marks and Spencer and Waitrose the bill was passed.

What happened next was a new culture – a shopping culture. More than half the population regularly goes shopping on a Sunday.

Going to the shops became an event, even for those without the money, it meant people could window shop. The Shopping mall phenomenon grew from that moment.

All this means hundreds of thousands of people have to work.

This is good news for some. The moral argument, I would like to leave for others to debate.

Should we reform the trading hours

The recent reforms outlined the biggest shakeup in Sunday trading laws for 20 years, ending the restricted.

In an interesting article in the Scotsman newspaper, Scottish Retail Consortium Chairman, Andrew Murphy spoke passionately about the risks to the high-street. He said;

The high street is at serious risk unless action is taken now by the UK and Scottish governments to help mitigate the many threats to retailers’ livelihoods”

“The change in our industry is going to be so profound that you really need to start thinking about this now,”

Should shop open for longer on a Sunday

An interesting quote from Conservative MP for Enfield Southgate, David Burrowes, He said

Sunday trading hours were “an issue of conscience” and challenged the need for the shake-up, saying retailers believed “sorting out parking and business rates” was more important for regenerating High Streets.

Members of the public are divided on the subject. I guess depending on what age group you speak to. The young are keen to have shops open, those who work longer than average hours also prefer it,

There are several areas to consider.

The retailers
The employees

For the retailers, being open for long has an appeal.  At a linear level, this offers customers the opportunity to spend for longer – what retailer would not want that.

However, there is a cost.  the SNP are arguing for a staff premium for their efforts.    There is also additional costs of electricity and so on. So, I guess the question is – is it affordable for retailers to open for extra hours?

If you are a retailer, let us know what you think.

 

 

 

 

 

Reading Scottish Retail Consortium has warned.

Talk about the High Street made for grim

 

 

 

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/12137182/Controversial-Sunday-trading-powers-handed-to-councils.html

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35759590

 

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/sunday-trading-hours-what-does-the-government-want-to-change-how-will-it-affect-workers-a6920971.html

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35623976

Mother’s Day is one of the biggest events in the retail calendar, with the majority of Brits purchasing for the event.

Almost 31% of us bought Mother’s Day cards, while 29% bought flowers and 15 per cent bought chocolate.

According to Quidco in 2015 men spend over £12 more on Mother’s Day than women do – is that a guilt?

In 2015 another survey estimated we spent £510 million on cards and presents for Mother’s Day.
In a separate survey by Mintel, on average we spent £34.76p. However, if you lived in London that figure rose to £87.12p.

For men, the average spend was £41.15, whilst the average spend for women was £28.97.

Interestingly the research suggested that men tend to buy on impulse. I would suggest that this was also a last-minute impulse, which says more about men’s forgetfulness rather than their generosity. The research highlights 24% bought on impulse, compared to 18%of women.

If we are talking about forgetfulness, the next figure might re-enforce this idea: 62% of women bought a gift compared to 57% of men.

If you wanted to compare Mother’s Day to Father’s Day – well poor old dads that’s what I say.

It would seem that mothers come our top in our children’s spending habits. A survey conducted by Quidco found that daughters will spend around £7,100 on mum, compared with £3,259.10 on their fathers – over their lifetime. With £360 million spent on Father’s Day in 2015.