It's been some weeks now since showrooms have been allowed to welcome customers back inside, which hopefully dealers are feeling the benefit from.
You may have read the recent ONS data that illustrated how April saw a boost to retail, with people returning to bricks and mortar stores. In fact so strong was the return to physical premises, that all retail sectors apparently reported a fall in their proportions of online sales. According to ONS figures, the total proportion of sales online decreased to 30.0% in April 2021, down from 34.7% in March.
No one is suggesting of course, that because of this it's time to ditch the online presence that many dealers will have built up so successfully over the past year. What it arguably confirms is what many have spoken of, that progressive dealerships of the future will thrive through a hybrid business model. A welcoming, modern premises backed up by a successful digital presence. A presence that not only sells goods, but crucially sells the dealer's own brand and ethos to their local target audience. For more information and tips about this, don't for get there's plenty of helpful information within Service Dealer's Dealer Digital Toolkit.
Anyway, the ONS report makes for interesting, encouraging reading. Of course comparing April 2021 to last year's one isn't exactly fair consider we were in the midst of the strictest Lockdown 1.0 at that point. But the underlying current trends of consumers continuing to spend, after fears it might drop off completely, must offer some heart.
From conversations we're having, it sounds like our readers are getting busier once again - albeit there is of course the ongoing elephant-in-the-dealership surrounding stocking.
Customers though, must be becoming ever more aware that these difficulties regarding supply are far from limited to the outdoor powered machinery sectors. This story on the BBC this week for example, regarding the building and construction industry and the trouble they are having sourcing materials, makes for incredibly familiar reading. It could almost have been written for our sector frankly, the story is so similar. And unfortunately, one suspects a tale to be repeated across multiple industries until a period of global stability is reached.
All of which is frustrating for a myriad of reasons - not least because business owners will be wanting to make firm future plans.
Recruitment hardships
We had some of these frustrations reflected back to us last week by you, our dealer readers, when we asked for your thoughts on the current state of recruitment. Thank you to all who helped us out with your feedback, we received a fascinating spread of responses and opinions.
Reading through your views, it seems fair to say that many dealers are keen to bolster their workforce and employ new staff - despite how inherently difficult this still appears to be. The sense of exasperation from your comments, was palpable.
One dealer encapsulated the feelings of many, saying, "There is a big opportunity for employment in our industry as I know nearly every dealer in the country is looking to recruit staff - whether an apprentice or an experienced engineer."
Another said of the challenges they are facing in finding anyone to take on, "In developing our dealership this is the biggest challenge we face."
We'll share all the results and a further selection of your comments in the next issue of Service Dealer magazine - however, it's no big spoiler to say that what came through loud and clear, is that dealers aren't blaming any of these hardships involved in the recruitment process on any short-term effects from the pandemic.
No, these are perennial hurdles that are hindering their desire to employ. Age old factors such as a lack of applicants, lack of perceived skills, no local training facilities, or being priced out of the wage market by other sectors are being cited by readers as holding them back.
These are issues that have been discussed ad infinitum and to which there are no easy-fixes unfortunately.
As our industry, like the rest of society, builds back after an unprecedented period in modern history, a focus is going to have to be placed on methods to attract fresh blood into the sector. As has been said before, this will mean a coordinated effort between trade associations, manufacturers, dealers and all who have a vested interest in the industry. All will need to work together towards a common goal.
Perhaps alongside vital initiatives intended to promote the sector to those who may not have considered a career in landbased engineering before, serious consideration should also be given to a suggestion passed on to us by a dealer reader last week.
It sounds like simple logic, but presumably many others will agree that it has been overlooked in recent years. This dealer's suggestion was that we should be doing "whatever it takes to keep margin within our industry, to support the higher remuneration we are having to pay."
I can't see too many dealers arguing with that.
