Service levels up by 19% of supplies PG Retail Barometer findings reveal
The strong bonds indies have with their agents and reps remain paramount as a lifeline to sourcing new products, especially as the cost of staffing makes it all the more problematic to leave the shop.
This came out loud and clear in the findings of the recent PG Retail Barometer, the only annual research survey into the health and wealth of the independent greeting card retail stockist.
“The power of the catalogues and actual card samples have also been elevated in the last year for indies, not only as the second-best way for them to source products, but going so far as to view them as important by 84% of respondents,” revealed Warren Lomax, co-founder of Max Publishing which undertakes this significant annual survey.
Highlighting that a fifth of respondents believe service levels from suppliers have improved slightly year on year, 29% are on the hunt for new suppliers while the same number are looking to reduce their supplier portfolio.
While trade shows, such as Spring Fair and PG Live, are viewed a top way to source products, when it comes to placing orders doing this online is now the way of the world for indies.
As for product diversification, when asked what areas indies were looking to expand in the coming year, jewellery is in pole position with stationery and sustainability products sharing the silver spot and chocolate/confectionery clinching the bronze, while plush and sentiment gifts join the line-up for the first time.
The jury is still out for 62% of respondents as to whether they would consider moving to being supplied via brokerage though it’s a reduction in the number from a year ago, while 45% still see geographical exclusivity of supply as an issue, but accept the reality of ecommerce means the consumer can find products at a touch of a button.
More findings of the PG Retail Barometer appear in the February edition of Progressive Greetings which is out now, both digitally and physically, with copies available on the PG/N Smith stand (3K41) at Spring Fair, which starts on Sunday, 4 February, at Birmingham’s NEC.
