Would I be right in assuming that the most challenging factor affecting dealerships' ability to function at their highest level this past year, has been availability of stock?
In 2020 I don't think it'd be too controversial to assume it was lockdowns and the myriad of rules that dealerships had to contend with which caused the most hardship. And then as we moved through 2021 it became apparent that supply of stock would be the major problem that our readers would have to use all their entrepreneurial skills to negotiate.
Once the calendar ticked over into 2022, consensus of industry opinion appeared to confirm that these delivery issues wouldn't magically disappear just because we were into a new year. If anything, I recall several figures telling dealers to prepare for the hardest year yet perhaps?
But is this assumption still correct? Are you maybe seeing an improvement with supply of wholegoods and parts into your dealership?
The main reason I ask - and we're running a short dealer survey on the subject today - is that we're at the end of the month where a couple of industry trade shows have taken place, where some positive noises regarding stocking have been heard. At these events I've had various manufacturers make favourable comments to me about where they are right now with supply of equipment.
Situation in store?
Now of course, I'm not naive enough to think there isn't an element of bravado, or of 'talking-up' the reality of the current situation, when a supplier is speaking to a member of the trade press. Equally, I in no way believe that everyone who had something upbeat to say about it, was outright lying. As with most things of this nature, I suspect the reality is somewhere in between.
Where there's no doubt is that this is a subject that is incredibly close to dealers' hearts and one which we as a trade magazine haven't had much encouraging to write about for the past 12 months. Therefore in almost every conversation I had with a stand-holder at both the Garden Press Event in London and BTME in Harrogate this month, at some point I asked " . . and how are you finding the supply situation at the moment?"
Many of the answers I received, implied that the situation is at least improving, at best quite good. But you, our dealer readers, would certainly know better than me how accurate those assessments are. So please do take the time today to tell us what the situation for your dealership is like at the moment.
I heard replies from suppliers along the lines of 'we're actually seeing stock come through'; 'we placed large forward orders so we're doing ok'; or 'our suppliers are managing to fill containers for us'.
Do these kind of statements ring true for your recent experiences?
I think what most everyone would still agree on, is that customer demand for product hasn't waned yet. With all we're hearing about the rising costs of living and the strains being placed on everyone's budgets, there is a real worry that the pinch for our sector could come. But as of yet, demand still seems to be consistent across domestic, commercial and agricultural customers.
What has been dampening down the rewards that could have been expected to have been reaped from this high demand this past year of course, is the lack of supply. Anecdotally for example, I've heard dealers say how getting hold of batteries for cordless tools has been especially troubling. But are things changing?
If as many of our dealer readers as possible were able to take a couple of minutes today, to answer a few quick questions, plus leave their comments regarding their recent experiences with getting hold of kit for their showrooms, or parts for their workshops, that would be much appreciated. It'll allow us to gain a snapshot of what the situation's like and hopefully compare where we are now to this time last year, when we ran a similar survey.
The results and a selection of your thoughts will be run in the next edition of Service Dealer magazine. Thanks in advance for your help.
TAKE THE SURVEY
