91 per cent of all line managers had seen an upward trend in mental health issues. With the perfect storm of furlough, increased inflation and digital retail, workers are feeling the pressure.

The coronavirus pandemic set off a wave of new trends for consumers, from hybrid shopping to massive spikes in electronics and home improvements. One that was perhaps harder to predict was the rise of private label products.

Spring Fair has long been a mainstay in the retail buying calendar and after a years break retailers were ready to get back to buying, and with some gusto! But where the trends that ran through the UK's largest destination for Home, Gift and Fashion? 

With online retail sales up by 37.2% in 2020, the pandemic has set new records across the board. The challenge for retailers now is to maintain this momentum. 

Over the last four days, the UK's largest and longest running trade show for home, gift and fashion, has generated millions of pounds worth of business kick-starting and refuelling the retail industry.

Thousands of retail buyers, and owners of independent stores from across the UK flocked to Spring Fair at the NEC Birmingham today as it opened its doors for the first time in two years.

As we enter 2022, the sales will pose a tricky question for retailers. Will customers be queueing out the doors as they did in pre-pandemic times, or will they turn their attention to online sales?

The post-pandemic recovery is perhaps one of the biggest challenges for British retailers. How can independent retailers thrive post-COVID?