We’ve just heard the news about the UK Retail Sales volumes in April up by 25% which on the surface looks promising. But what is on the cards for May?
Well the simple answer is … NO ONE KNOWS…
Unlike April, May doesn’t have the advantage of a Royal Wedding or Easter to help boast Retail Sales.
I would guess MOBILE, ONLINE and MULTICHANNEL are key to helping retailers through this tough time.
When I started blogging back in July 2008, I kept on talking from my experience about online being the growth part of the retail industry and having spent time at the Retail Week and British Retail Consortium conferences recently, I would have to say online, multichannel and mobile are the places to be right now.
That said of course, retailers with shops can still be very agile with their own imagination and a bit of social technology at their finger tips. I actively use twitter locally, to drive people to my live music events and other off line activity. It is all possible if you know how and adopt the most appropriate etiquette.
So what’s going to happen in May for UK Retail?
My guess, is that retailers and their loyal employees will need to work very hard to win the hearts and minds of customers who are in search of good value for money and a rolls royce customer service. The customer is still king and now they have twitter to demand a high service and best local convenience.
The British Retail Consortium will be doing their bit to help spread knowledge as in May and June they have two keynote events happening for UK Retailers. the BRC Annual Retail Lecture, Thursday May 19, Willis Building,London with Justin King CEO of Sainsbury’s giving the lecture and Retail Symposium, June 8, Intercontinental London Park Lane
Work on the social retail book continues in the wee small hours … I’ve already interviewed some major UK retailers and working my through some more over the next month. It is due out in September subject to publishing and distribution details.
Don’t forget our site dedicated for retailers … www.socialretail.co.uk – we are here to help you grow your retail business with bespoke consultancy and training for your staff.
Trade well and tweet me @socialretail.
Pete
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