The Progressive Housewares Retail Barometer 2024 found that websites had the most positive impact on indie cookshops in 2023.
For the first time in three years, the trend for shopping local was knocked off the top spot for the most positive influences on housewares retailers’ businesses. This year, 63% of retailers surveyed put their website in the top three most positive influences on their business in 2023, showing that ecommerce is growing in the housewares sector.
54% said that new customers were in their top three, putting it into the second position. Growing customer bases is key for those hoping to increase sales.
Joint third place, with 36% of votes, was the trend for shopping local, showing that although ecommerce has increased this year, consumers still value independents and face-to-face shopping experiences.
Also voted for by 36% as a positive impact was staff, showing that customer service and a strong team is an important factor for success. In joint third place was new products and social media.
Joint seventh place with 27% of retailers placing it in their top three positive influences was online and in-store events, such as demonstrations or cookery classes, showing that creating a community of like-minded customers has a positive impact on retail businesses.
Also taking 27% of the votes was promotional activity, perhaps reflecting consumers’ desire for a bargain during difficult economic times. Window displays and shopfits were also in seventh place, along with a shift to giftable housewares products.
