Posted by admin on November 23, 2020 · Leave a Comment
Two third of SMEs in England have reported feeling more prepared in the second national lockdown, according to new data from Barclaycard.
The research found that business owners knew what to expect going into this lockdown and had made changes to make their company more resilient, with 66 per cent feeling more prepared than the first lockdown. Barclaycard Payments SME Barometer data also found that SMEs across the UK are going online to stay ahead, with just under half increasing their online presence since March 2020; its data shows sustained growth in online payments to SMEs, with e-commerce transactions up six per cent since last quarter
And in encouraging signs, almost three quarters of SMEs are looking to invest in their business over the next 12 months.
The top reasons given for feeling more prepared were mental preparation (36 per cent), the changes they’ve made to their business to make it more resilient (32 per cent), and the Government support in place (14 per cent).
With regard to e-commerce, SMEs are turning to this as a way of recapturing some of the opportunities they’ve missed out on, with just under half (45 per cent) increasing their online presence since March 2020 – with website improvements (67 per cent), putting services online (66 per cent) and social media advertising (64 per cent) cited as the measures which have had the most positive impact.
Barclaycard Payments data show that small businesses are being rewarded for adding the ability to take online payments, with e-commerce transactions at SME merchants up six per cent since last quarter, and up 16 per cent year-on-year.
Looking ahead to next year, nearly three quarters (74 per cent) of business owners are planning to invest back into their business. The most popular areas for investment are marketing (29 per cent), and new equipment/technology (28 per cent).
Prior to the lockdown announcement for England on October 31, 63 per cent of SMEs expected to return to 2019 levels of output by the end of 2021, although the latest restrictions may make this less achievable for some businesses.
Konrad Kelling, Head of Small Business at Barclaycard Payments, commented: “The past year has been incredibly difficult for SMEs across all sectors, so it’s reassuring to see that many have been able to take advantage of the lessons learned during the first lockdown to adapt their business ensuring that they are able to continue to serve their customers.”
He recommends that SMEs invest in the ‘new normal’ with regard to your online presence and make sure people know who’s behind your business – many customers are looking to support their local SMEs during these tough times, so make sure your customers know the stories and people behind your business.
Emma Jones, founder of small business network, Enterprise Nation, added: “SMEs have again and again proved their resourcefulness and flexibility in this crisis. They have been proactive in looking at ways to adapt their business for a Covid economy – with investment in online tools, and having staff working from home all crucial to their ability to ride out the latest round of pandemic disruptions. In light of all of the economic setbacks, SMEs are hopeful that 2021 could bring back a degree of normality – and we are hopeful that they will persevere.”
Posted by admin on November 17, 2020 · Leave a Comment
With retail under huge pressure at the moment, a leading retail organisation is aiming to add a little lightness with a new competition.
The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has launched its first competition to find the finest festive display. Bira Direct, the trade association’s product-buying group, is on the hunt for the independent retail business with the best Christmas display. It can be either a traditional shop window display or a merchandised area inside the store.
The competition is open to all independent retailers, and there’s a top prize of £200 to spend with Bira Direct for the winner. First prize will be decided by Bira judges, while the winners of first runner-up and second runner-up places, will receive £100 and £50 Bira Direct vouchers respectively, following a public vote on social media. Meanwhile, all UK voters will be automatically entered into a prize drawer to win a hamper of goodies from Bira Direct suppliers.
Jeff Moody, Bira’s Commercial Director, commented: “After an incredibly difficult year for bricks and mortar retailers, we’re excited to launch this new initiative, not only giving retailers an opportunity to win some fantastic prizes, but also an opportunity for us to promote some truly creative retailers to the public.”
Find out more at https://bira.co.uk/bira-direct-christmas-competition
Posted by admin on November 6, 2020 · Leave a Comment
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Posted by admin on October 30, 2020 · Leave a Comment
The Veganuary campaign has announced more than one million people have taken part since it began six years ago.
The campaign, where people pledge to try vegan for 31 days, was forged on a kitchen table in York by a husband and wife team, and official participant numbers have grown year on year from 3,300 in 2014 to 400,300 signing up in 2020.
Matthew Glover, co-founder and Chair of Veganuary, commented: “When my wife, Jane, and I decided to launch a new year’s vegan pledge in 2014, we expected only 1,000 people to take part. More than 3,000 signed-up and we were blown away. Now, Veganuary is a bigger feature in the retail calendar than Christmas, reflecting the ever-increasing number of people choosing plant-based food.”
Toni Vernelli, Veganuary’s International Head of Communications, added: “At a time when many feel helpless about the state of the world, Veganuary offers people a way to take positive action. Reaching the one million milestone in the middle of this pandemic shows it’s exactly what many people need right now.”
Posted by admin on October 22, 2020 · Leave a Comment
Sales of organic have grown by an impressive 9.5 per cent during 2020, marking the largest rise since 2006.
The Nielsen data, which is taken up to October 3, 2020, far exceeds last year’s 4.5 per cent growth, which made the market worth £2.45bn. The newly released data suggests the market will be worth £2.6bn by the end of the year, surpassing the £2.5bn forecasts.
The data shows that the 9.5 per cent growth far beat non-organic, which grew 6.6 per cent in the same time period. Dairy continues to be the biggest category, with the new data showing 4.6 per cent growth and now worth £450m. Produce was also in growth, up 10.8 per cent to now be worth £401m. Other areas of growth included canned and packaged, up 16.6 per cent to now be valued at £299m and meat, fish and poultry, up 12.5 per cent and now worth £183m.
Data also included sales figures for the month of September, revealing the success of the Organic September campaign, which increased organic sales through supermarkets by 12.5 per cent for the four week period, again outperforming the trend in non-organic sales at that time, according to Nielsen.
Announcing the news at the Soil Association Certification’s virtual Organic Trade Conference this week, its Trade Consultant, Finn Cottle, commented: “We are in such unusual, really anxious and insecure times, and my three decades in the food retailing industry, I have to say it’s probably the most change I have seen with regards to market growth and market structure. But it has worked really well for organic. We have just had the latest Nielsen figures and whereas at the end of last year, we recorded 4.5 per cent increase growth for organic, for the supermarkets to October 3, we have actually achieved 9.5 per cent growth.
“This is the highest growth there has been in over a decade and it certainly means our target of £2.5bn for this year is going to be surpassed and we should reach 2.6bn. £2.6bn is a bit of a milestone because it means £50m per week will be purchased as organic during 2020.”
Cottle also highlighted the difference between the organic and non-organic market.
“Organic products have been outperforming non-organic equivalent. That 9.5 per cent is compared to 6.6 per cent for non-organic products for the same time period. Produce is now six percentage point ahead on organic compared to non-organic, meat, fish and poultry is four percentage points ahead and chilled foods are a whopping 30 percentage points ahead,” she commented.
Referring to the specific categories, Cottle continued: “Dairy and produce are the engine rooms for organic, and they are also the entry points for organic. And between them, they account for over 50 per cent of total organic sales. Over all food and drink, organic has about 1.6 per cent share so can see the importance of the dairy and produce category at 3.5 and 3.7 per cent share of sales.”
Addressing changing shopping habits in light of Covid, Cottle referred to research from Soil Association Certification and The Crow Flies
“There is reduced confidence in shopping in-store and in particular there has been a fall in top-ups. We have heard about the much-publicised surge in online shopping, which has really forced a lot of shoppers to think differently and to search out new ideas,” she commented.
“Some of those new ideas have been searching for box schemes or looking for meal solutions and this is requiring our organic businesses to be so agile to adapt the business models and we have seen some great examples of that. There has also been the desire for self-sufficiency and the appreciation of food, return to cooking at home, growing our own, and I think what it’s all leading to is shoppers have got more time on their hands to make more important choices. Research has shown us there is more thought about food choices and that means people are thinking more about where their food comes from and that is all boding very well for organic.”
In terms of why, the research has revealed that 15 per cent are willing to pay more for organic, and that the most common reasons for buying were no pesticides, better for the environment, perceived better quality and tastes better, among others. Ad interestingly, these attitudes have only strengthened – the percentage of shoppers who agreed buying organic produced products is good for sustainability was 41 per cent prior to Covid and is now at 50 per cent.
Cottle continued: “It gives us a lot of confidence that organic is not only performing well during this crisis but its potential to perform well is very high. Why is the time right for organic? More than ever it is a signpost for health, in these times, whenever consumers/shoppers are worried about their own personal health, they are searching it out and hopefully they will continue to do so. It’s an assurance of quality and great taste produced to the highest standards and again, consumers and shoppers want that assurance when they are feeling quite insecure in the general sense.”
Speaking after the conference, Clare McDermott, Business Development Director at Soil Association Certification, commented: “With consumer habits shifting and people prioritising choices that are good for the environment and biodiversity, organic stands out for its benefits of transparency and integrity. With more people than ever understanding these connections, I think the sector has a lot to feel proud of – and confident about. The time for organic is definitely now.
“It’s also great to see this year’s joined-up Organic September campaign, with it’s simple message ‘nature has the answer’, has had such a strong impact, increasing organic sales across the board, including a 12.5 per cent rise in supermarkets.”
- Look out for the winter issue of Organic & Natural Business for a full report from the virtual conference.
Organic & Natural Business magazine
