Some retailers that have been in business for hundreds of years have also fallen into disrepair due to the Corona overdose. However, these institutions, which survived the horrors of the two world wars and endured various hardships, were not lost in the end. This presentation is about four retailers that have survived Corona.
There are some hundreds of years old retail businesses in London, the capital of the United Kingdom. For these traditional retailers, the coronavirus has had the most difficult time of the year. How are they doing business in the face of such a difficult challenge?
The two-four-century-old retailers, like others, have fallen into disrepair as the buyer-consumer footprint has plummeted due to the Covid-19 overdose. These institutions, which have survived the horrors of two world wars and endured various hardships, are trying to close down but are finally surviving. The BBC recently spoke to four retailers that also survive in Corona about their situation over the past 18 months.
Paxton & Whitefield: In charge of the business
Paxton & Whitefield, the oldest food shop in London, opened in 1842 at Oldich Market. At that time the number of rich people in London was increasing. To seize this opportunity, the company opens a branch near Jermaine Street in the West End. They still have a shop there.
Paxton & Whitefield currently has two stores in London and one in Bath. All three stores did well in business during Corona. Hero Hurst, manager of Paxton & Whitefield, a 269-year-old retailer about the business, said the lockdown posed many challenges. “Direct sales in Corona have declined,” he said. However, the demand for online products has increased, which we have been able to meet. ‘
Lock & Co. Hatters: Three and a half centuries of tradition
One of the famous brands of this company established in 18 is the handmade hat. English flag officer of the British Royal Navy and Admiral Lord Nelson who won many battles; Star personalities such as Jacqueline Kennedy, the first lady of the United States, author, and photographer, wore the organization’s hat as the wife of British film and Hollywood actor, director, actor Charlie Chaplin and US President John F. Kennedy.
Roger Stephenson, deputy chairman of Lock & Co. Hatters, said: “We survived the Great Depression and the Great Depression. But in the history of our entire business, the only coronary lockdown situation was to close the business.
Lock & Co. Hatters provides wedding and garden party attire. The Royal Ascot also sells clothing and equipment used in horse races, which are attended by the Queen of Britain herself. Horse racing alone accounts for 25 percent of the company’s total annual sales. The company’s business is affected when weddings and garden parties are closed due to restrictions on people going out due to corona. And last year the five-day Royal Ascot was held in a confined environment.
“It’s a scary time for everyone,” said Roger Stephenson. But I think we have to move through that situation. However, we are trying to run the business digitally by opening the website. ‘
Stephenson, the seventh generation of Lock & Co. Hatters, said their organization is turning around even in the face of the Corona Challenge. For 345 years, the company’s rules for selling good quality products in a good way have not changed.
Henry Pool & Co.: Black-tire barn
Henry Poole & Company began its journey in 1806 as a tailor for making military uniforms. Later, however, it became known as the modern black-tire cottage. It is currently one of the most trusted companies in the field of men’s clothing.
Simon Kundi, managing director (MD) of Henry Pool & Company, which has a rich 215-year tradition, said: “The last 18 months have been the worst for their tailoring business. Many customers came to us even during the war. But all the markets had to be closed during the Corona Extreme. ‘
During the Corona period, the company’s sales fell by 20 percent. There have been some sales online. Simon Kundi said, ‘It is not possible to test whether there is a suit fitting with the help of remote or zoom from home. It’s a lot like this — the doctor told a patient with a needle thread, this is how to sew. Just as a dentist has to be in front of a dentist to pick a tooth, so does a customer need to be present for our business. ‘
Henry Poole & Company’s internal business is showing signs of turning around again. However, they are still able to produce half of their capacity. But the global market is still stagnant. Of course, they are optimistic about this.
Mycenae Stevens: The fragrance of flowers spreads
Mycenae Stevens, a London florist, started her career in 18. It is the oldest florist in London, delivering flowers to various events of the British royal family, including the Duchess of Cambridge, weddings, and hotels in London. But the 145-year-old company stumbled upon the Corona disaster.
Gemma Kavanagh, managing director of Moises Stevens, said a large part of the company’s revenue came from selling wedding flowers. But in Corona, this income has gone to zero.
At the age of 14, Gemma Kavanagh chose to sell flowers as her first Saturday job. “We are very fortunate to be working in such a long-established company,” he said.
Gemma Kavanagh added, ‘Customers call our head office every day or search with messages on social media. All our shops are flower shopping centers for the people. As a result, flower sales will survive. ‘
