The winter of our discontent

It’s called the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, but I find it’s more a time of frayed nerves and frazzled emotions. Even though we all know that years are ongoing cyclical epochs, there’s no doubt that in our minds we view them as linear with a beginning, middle and end. And as such as each year comes to a close, we start to feel the effect of its events.

We all have our own reasons for wanting to “see the back” of a bad year, whatever it is we experienced over those months. But right now we – as a nation / globe / industry (delete as applicable) – are united in being ready for 2021 to end. Arguably not quite as fierce as 2020, it has nonetheless been hugely challenging. Plus coming off the back of The Stinker we’ve not really had chance to recover so anything we’re contending is creating a layering effect on our battered selves.

So where am I going with this? I’m currently seeing a lot of people really suffering from emotional upset, fraught mental health and folk generally feeling mighty low. There is no doubt that retail has suffered hugely through the pandemic. And I would put my neck on the line and say that much of the burden has been carried by the merchandisers.

Not only have the merchandising teams been under strain for external reasons, but internal factors have played a part too. Companies have made so many headcount cuts, lots of people have been forced to do the job of three people. Famously retailers are struggling to recruit Assistant Merchandisers, and that’s putting a strain on the team. And I am speaking to so many people telling me they’re working 14 hour days, and Sundays. This is seriously taking its toll.

It’s always a false economy when too many roles are cut from a structure. What seems like an easy win for payroll, doesn’t take long to show its true colours. Those remaining in the business become stressed and overworked. And before long they seek new jobs and follow the exit signs. Thus recruitment is required – which comes at a cost (be it time or agency fee) – but more than that, the brand knowledge and expertise has walked out the door.

I am definitely predicting that 2022 will be The Year of the New Job for many. Not least because people have had enough of carrying a heavy load throughout the Covid era. Businesses will have to reassess team structures to avoid losing key talent. And hopefully we’ll see a brighter time for both our industry and those of us working in it.