Scottish Bakers, the association which supports bakers throughout Scotland, has announced the results of its latest member survey confirming that business is heading towards normal on high streets from Shetland to Stranraer.
The survey sought to understand trading conditions for Scotland’s much-loved bakers as lockdown restrictions ease including the indoor sale of takeaway foods and the reopening of the hospitality sector at large, all key markets for member bakers. It found that across all respondents, business has generally improved since the re-opening of High Streets and hospitality businesses.
Members reported that trading has increased on average by around 25% since the easing of lockdown measures, bringing much of the sector back into the range of what they would consider “normal” trading.
The increase is attributable to:
- More general footfall and passing trade
- More demand for food-to-go across the breakfast and lunchtime hours
- Rising demand from hospitality and/or food service businesses
- Increased orders from supermarkets/convenience stores
- More demand for hot drinks to take-away
Around 70% of respondents still have some 25% of their staff on furlough. Nearly 60% of respondents predict a need to recruit more staff within the next three months. And 80% of respondents recognise a need to develop the skills of their workforce as part of their recovery plans to drive productivity, quality and resilience.
Scottish Bakers Chief Executive Alasdair Smith said: “Whilst it’s not over yet I know, our high street bakers were desperate to get back to some form of normality and its great to hear from them that business is bouncing back. Many of our members have shown extraordinary resilience staying open through COVID providing their communities and customers with freshly bread daily not to mention rolls, pies and pastries to keep our spirits up. They have changed business models to offer home delivery and click and collect options as well as in rural communities stocking a wider range of grocery basics to support their vulnerable customers so they deserve this bit of good news.
“Our members employ some 11,000 people across Scotland and include hundreds of high street bakeries and cafes as well as wholesalers supplying the hospitality sector along with schools, hospitals and works canteens so to be able to slowly return to business as usual is heartening.”
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Media contact
Kiran Grewal
Editor, International Bakery
Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922
Email: editor@in-bakery.com
