Annual survey into health of independent greetings retail sector now live
The only annual survey into the indie card retail scene, the PG Independent Retail Barometer has just gone live, with independent card retail stockists urged to participate in order to paint the true picture of how trade panned out in 2022.
“The past year has certainly brought its challenges, taking its toll on people and businesses, while also bringing some opportunities. So, it’s very important to track the changes of 2022 v 2021 – the PG Independent Retail Barometer means this can happen,” commented Jakki Brown, managing director of Max Publishing, which owns Progressive Greetings and PG Buzz.net.
“The survey has just gone live, with a deadline of 4 January, and if you are an independent retailer of greeting cards we need your help to be able to paint a true picture of the sector, so please contribute,” added Jakki.
Looking at the findings of the 2022 Barometer, 65% of respondents revealed their trade was better in 2021 than in 2020, and 72% experienced a higher average spend per customer.
Having largely shaken off Covid, indies went into 2022 feeling positive, with 71% expecting growth, and 66% were positive about the future of the indie card shop over the coming decade, while just 8% saw Card Factory as a serious threat with 68% neutral about the greetings retail giant.
So, things were looking good until the Russian invasion of Ukraine in late February this year, which kicked off a chain reaction on energy prices, cost-of-living, and general economic unsteadiness – not helped by the political turmoil with Boris Johnson being forced out, Liz Truss taking over as prime minister for all of five minutes, and Rishi Sunak now trying to steer the ship.
“We always have a great response from retailers to the Barometer, enabling us to provide a meaningful benchmark over the years,” said Jakki, “but the more the merrier to ensure that the picture we get is as authoritative as possible of indies’ collective experiences for the past 12 months as well as their hopes for the coming year.”
The survey can be completed within 12 minutes, or in sections so retailers can stop and start if they so wish. Respondents just need to be sure to access the link using the same device, however, all answers are final once they click done.
Whatever your business experience over the past year, all views count – and remember, every individual submission remains confidential. So, if you’re an independent retailer please do participate in this significant survey by clicking here.
Top: PG’s Independent Retailer Barometer will reveal how trade has been in 2022 for indie card stockists
