Smaller retailers face increased pressures
Longer hours threaten health
January 25 2003
Smaller retailers face post-Christmas blues exhausted, stressed and in danger of throwing in the towel.
A survey conducted by drinks brand Lipovitan shows that 48 per cent of independent retailers wouldn’t recommend it as a way of life, with 52 per cent never taking a holiday and the same percentage working more than 70 hours a week
Although in 57 per cent of cases staff or family would fill in if the owner became sick, seven per cent of shops would be forced to close or restrict their opening hours in the event of illness.
Of the 97 per cent of independent retailers who get tired at work, more than half feel that their tiredness affects their health and ultimately their business, leading to a lack of concentration which in turn, leads to mistakes being made and increased irritability with customers and staff.
Alex Armstrong, Marketing Manager at Lipovitan, said: “These results clearly give cause for concern. Independent retailers are a vital section of our supply chain – they are important to their communities and important to us as a business. Lipovitan Vitality is aimed at people who are tired or under pressure so we wanted to find out if the people selling the product are facing the same challenges as those who are buying it. While we were aware that small retailers generally experience a degree of pressure at work, we are shocked by the extent of the problem.”
The brand is working with retailers to try to combat this growing problem – ideas so far include providing revitalisation days, where Lipovitan would supply a locum shopkeeper to give the shop owner abreak, and producing a booklet with tips on how to maintain energy levels and reduce stress.
The survey was produced in partnership with trade publication Independent Retail News.
