Page 35 - HW March 2021

global eyes
UK online retail looks for even more share
International shows
shift and adapt
As we were going to press with this issue, the IHA Board of Directors had just voted not to proceed with 2021’s Inspired Home Show which was scheduled to take place in August, saying: “The safety of our members and buyers within our industry is of upmost importance and given the current and projected state of the pandemic, the possibility of hosting a successful global event in August is unlikely.”
A date for 2022 has yet to be set.
The National Hardware Show’s 75th anniversary event originally planned for May will now take place over 21-23 October this year.
The show will remain in the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, but will move to the newly opened West Hall.
“After consulting key industry stakeholders and attendees, the decision to postpone to October was made to ensure maximum safety for all involved and to produce a successful event for
all our participants,” says Beth Casson, Event Leader, National Hardware Show.
“We know how eager everyone is to come together again, and are excited to unite in a brand new, state-of-the-art space in October.”
Meanwhile, in Europe, the Eisenwarenmesse or International Hardware Fair Cologne now takes place in March 2022, having been stymied both this year and last by the pandemic.
Eisenwarenmesse 2022 now plans to open its doors from 6-9 March 2022, with registrations already open with attractive early-booking conditions staying open until the end of May.
www.nationalhardwareshow.com www.eisenwarenmesse.com www.theinspiredhomeshow.com
AS THE NEGATIVE effects of the pandemic continue to punish traditional retail and online spending grows exponentially
in the UK, as elsewhere, several large British retailers have formed the UK Digital Business Association (UKDBA) with the aim to “champion” the already burgeoning digital retail channels.
To set the scene, commenting on ONS Retail Sales for January trading, Richard Lim, CEO of Retail Economics says: “Momentum built up in the run-up to Christmas was deflated by the third national lockdown in January.
“Retail sales plunged at the fastest rate since the pandemic broke last year as January blues were heightened by further restrictions to control the spread of the virus.”
However, the proportion of online sales reached new heights.
Indeed, says the ONS, “reflecting
the impact the pandemic has had on consumer behaviours”, the proportion of online retail increased to a record level in January 2021 reaching 35.2% up from 19.5% in January 2020.
Richard Lim continues: “The pandemic has driven a step-change in online shopping and a new wave of digital shoppers have broken down the initial barriers of setting up online accounts, entering payment details and overcoming
issues of trust.
“Consumers now seamlessly transition
to lockdown shopping habits, switching to online channels they discovered during previous lockdowns.
“It’s inevitable that some of these behaviours will become a permanent feature of the industry as consumers embrace a new way to shop and the industry boosts online capacity.”
In this respect, pureplay retailers ASOS, Boohoo, Gymshark, The Hut Group, Ocado Group and AO World, each of them with their own powerful voices, are among the first members of the UKDBA, which sees itself as a trade association.
“The UKDBA will provide a voice for its members,” says UKDBA founder, Iain McDonald (a non-executive Director of Boohoo).
“The British online industry is one of the UK’s greatest success stories and the UKDBA is here to champion our members, their customers’ interests, providing them a voice in a rapidly evolving world,”
As online surges and high street retail footfall continues to shrink, the UKDBA also says it will be “supporting the efforts of store-based retailers in their transition to a digital-first environment”.
www.ukdigitalbusinessassociation.com
MORE AT www.facebook.com/nzhardwarejournal
MARCH 2021 | NZHJ 33