Retailers that do not have an online presence could stand to lose out as more than a quarter of UK shoppers plan to spend more online once Covid-19 restrictions are lifted, according to data and analytics firm GlobalData.
Thomas Brereton, retail analyst at GlobalData, says a survey of 2,000 respondents in May has revealed retailers with a limited (or no) online proposition must consider investment in order to remain competitive.
“Almost all non-food physical retailers in the UK have suffered immensely from the closure of stores and will be eagerly awaiting government updates on plans to reopen at the start of June (at the earliest).
“But Covid-19 is drawing a permanent scar on the landscape of UK retail, and one that easing restrictions will not heal.
“42.6% of UK shoppers are spending more than usual online at the moment; however, of those, 61% plan to keep doing so after the pandemic, driven by the convenience home delivery offers or the fear of travelling to busy shopping locations. And as the online channel grows, pressure will mount on offline retailers to retain sales – for some players, to fatal levels.”
Today (13 May), the British Retail Consortium (BRC) revealed a record sales decline in total UK retail sales during April, with clothing, in particular, being hit hard.
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