In the build-up to Christmas 2020, there’s been a lot of talk about the impact of ecommerce on more traditional shopping on the high street and in Britain’s shopping centres.
There’s no arguing the fact that online purchases have been having an increasing impact on the retail industry for some time and the Covid-19 restrictions will add some further impetus to the trend this year.
But there are several associated factors that may impact on retail recruitment in perhaps unexpected ways. Even with the widely anticipated drop in overall sales activity this year, there are indications that stores may not have an easy time finding the quality staff they need for the season.
Challenges to retail recruitment
Firstly, there’s the growth in online itself. Online sellers like Amazon are recruiting hundreds of new workers and many companies are already complaining of a shortage of delivery drivers across the UK. The problems that supermarkets and other retailers have faced in rapidly scaling up their home delivery shopping offers are really significant – as anyone who tried to book a home delivery slot during the lockdown period will tell you.
To add to this, large numbers of especially younger EU citizens who were previously in the seasonal employment market have left the UK in the past couple of years and far fewer are coming to replace them. Other sectors where temporary staff are often in demand, like catering and hospitality, are also competing for a decreasing overall number of available people.
So it’s by no means a simple or clear picture this Christmas. As both major and smaller retailers rush to re-align their Christmas offers and stocks in line with the latest government restrictions, some are predicting a positive ‘backlash’ against what has been for so many people a pretty dismal year.
As The Grocer reports, there are times when retail therapy is just what the doctor ordered. Britain’s love affair with Christmas shopping is unlikely to fade away anytime soon, Covid or no Covid.
Finding the shining light you need this season
Although the picture is hard to predict, that’s precisely what retail managers have to do, and the pressure will be on like never before to get it right. That means getting the best people in place at the right time. At Anthony Gregg, our team is already working with many retailers to fill their urgent retail executive requirements to lead businesses through this difficult time. And we expect more challenges to be sent our way as the Christmas lights go on across the country and shoppers head out to make sure that those presents are carefully chosen – in Covid safety but without any dimming of the Spirit of Christmas. To find out how we can assist with your retail recruitment, get in touch.