With lockdown encouraging people to spruce up their homes, retailers, to include high street department store Barkers in Northallerton, have seen a spike in sales of decorative home accessories and home fragrancing products.
The store’s buyer/manager Sharon Wake reveals what’s been trending.
How’s trading been since Barkers re-opened?
“Business has generally been good since re-opening after lockdown. Nobody knew quite what to expect, so we have been pleasantly surprised. We feel that because we are in a rural market town, some customers feel safer shopping in this environment than in a busier city centre.”
Has lockdown changed how and what people are buying at Barkers?
“I think a lot of people were decorating and doing home improvements during lockdown and, as a result, since re-opening, we’ve seen sales of home gifting doing well. On the home fragrancing front, candles, and in particular reed diffusers, are continuing to sell well. The new Wrendale collection from Wax Lyrical has had a very good initial response and Stoneglow also continues to be very popular with customers. Photo frames too, have been a strong performer, perhaps to display photos of loved ones not seen for many weeks.”
Are customers adapting to wearing face masks and staying socially distanced?
“They seem to have accepted the changes to the new way to shop but there are occasions when we have to remind them about social distancing and standing behind the screens at the till points. Numbers have also slowed slightly since face coverings became mandatory. All the staff are wearing masks and visors despite it not being required of us. It was felt it gives a more consistent message if we do, and, unfortunately, it seems as though they are here to stay for the foreseeable future. We feel that the customers will adapt to this new normal as we all have to do.”
Top: Barkers, Northallerton.
