The Office for National Statistics recently reported that retail sales volumes have continued to rise, growing by 0.8% between July and August; household goods and DIY, in particular, saw a 9.9% jump in sales. Further surpassing their pre-pandemic level, retail sales are now 4% higher than in February, before national lockdown measures were introduced.
Now, as the retail sector slowly gets back on its feet and with almost a third of Brits already starting their Christmas shopping, it is more important than ever that retailers are able to encourage spending by building up consumer confidence. This recovery is pivotal for the retail sector and new research conducted by retail tech app Ubamarket reveals exactly how the pandemic has impacted consumer behaviour.
Key stats:
- 50% of people in Britain (over 23 million) haven’t used cash at all since the start of lockdown and have relied exclusively on card and contactless payments
- 43% of Brits (over 20 million) want their shopping experience moving forward to require as little human interaction as possible
- Over one-third (34%) of Brits say that the self-checkouts cause significant anxiety due to hygiene concerns and proximity to other shoppers
- 4 in 10 Brits will no longer use cash when shopping or when in bars or restaurants due to concerns around the transfer of germs
- 62% of Brits (28 million) want to be able to complete their supermarket shop and exit the store in under 20 minutes
Will Broome, CEO of Ubamarket, discusses the research looking into consumer sentiments towards shopping and how retailers can continue to grow: “Our research clearly shows that the Coronavirus pandemic has completely transformed how British consumers want to purchase their goods. In light of this, retailers would do well to think of alternatives to drive sales while maintaining the safety and confidence of their clientele. Technology and in-app solutions, such as payments, personalised offers and in-store navigation can help up-sell to customers remotely, utilising their previous shopping history and buying trends to increase spend and basket size. This will help retailers offer a highly personalised high street experience without risking unnecessary contact, keeping staff and shoppers safe while increasing spending.”
