I was saddened to learn last week that one of our industry's most renowned companies - Glen Dimplex Home Appliances, is planning to cut jobs as a result of what it says are 'changes in the High Street' (you can read more below).

Although I'm not party to the intricacies of GDHA's specific issues, I'm well aware that the growth of online retailing has a huge part to play in any retail company's falls in sales - and particularly so for 'big ticket' items. Add to that the high rates and rents ordinary retailers have to pay. Then there are the staff required to efficiently 'man' the shop floor and the increases in the National Living Wage which are so much steeper than they were when the National Minimum Wage was raised each year by - often - just pennies per hour, and we can see something of the battle High Street and out-of-town retailers have on their hands - and it's going to get worse.

Although I don't buy online unless I'm forced to, I'm on first name terms with the woman in the white van who delivers parcels and packets to my home several times a week. The three slightly-pre-millennials who have these items delivered here are probably fed up with my nagging that if they continue to buy online there soon won't be any shops they can go to if they actually want to see what they're buying first-hand, but I'm sure that one day they'll remember my words and regret not having taken them on board.

It was only a couple of years ago that Jessops, the expert camera retailer, supposedly closed, but it wasn't long before shops started being opened again. A good reputation and great service certainly helps in cases such as this - as does clever planning.

From what I know of GDHA it's thought long and hard about what it needs to do, to remain competitive in this changing market. It has some great brands and products that really stand out for their look, their build quality and their features. While I feel for those who are about to lose their jobs, I'm hoping that the moves being made to keep the business viable are timely enough that the company will be hiring again in Merseyside before too long...

www.facebook.com/KBzine  

Yours,

Jan Hobbs