The head of one of the UK’s largest symbol groups has warned that independent convenience retailers are facing the “most challenged six months of the last 30 years” due to weaker consumer spending, rising energy costs, the introduction of deposit return schemes (DRS), and difficulties with staff recruitment and retention.
Speaking in an interview with property agent Christie & Co, Nisa’s MD Peter Batt said: “It’s all cyclical; I do believe that in 2024 we will be in a much better position, but that doesn’t help people in 2023.
“January and February from a volume point of view will be in some guises scary; people are going to use up their cupboards and people are going to check their spending.
“Things will come right again, but it’s going to be a choppy first six months.”
Watch the full interview below:
NAM Implications:
- Just six months, hopefully…
