“The Shop must be doing well” is often the cry from villagers I meet on my daily walk. Well we hope so, but in these strange times, how do we measure the success of the shop?
I can, and will, bore you with statistics on the shop business but, most importantly, every delivery we do to those isolating and every time we prevent an unnecessary trip from home is a success for the shop.
If you’d like more data on the shop keep reading.
Since the start of the lockdown and a move to a delivery only service the shop turnover has doubled. We would have expected a turnover of around £28,000 this April, if current trends continue it will be around £56,000.
In usual times the Deli/Cafe part of the business makes up 40% of shop turnover, now it is 0%. so how has shop turnover doubled? It’s because the non-deli business is up 220%. Basically that’s fresh foods and other groceries with quite a lot of booze thrown in. Transaction sizes are up dramatically, last April the average transaction size in the shop was £7.34, so far this April it is £52 an increase of 608%.
The shop is offering deliveries 5 days a week and trying to get those deliveries done by early afternoon. Roughly, we’re processing 50 deliveries a day averaging £50 in value. This requires putting through the till around 200 items per hour, or more than one item every 20 seconds. Those who’ve volunteered on the shop till will understand that that takes quick hands. In normal times the shop processes an item through the till every 60 seconds. The shop used to get busy when everyone wanted a coffee, now it’s busy when everyone wants carrots.
Two teams of volunteers are now in place to operate the delivery service. They keep the shop heart pumping while we get through these difficult times and are very grateful for all the lovely messages of support they receive.
So, is the shop doing well? Financially, we’re not sure, the Deli/Cafe business with its high margins has gone, the groceries side of the business has grown dramatically but has small margins. Spiritually, it’s thriving.
All you helpers at the shop are fantastic in the organisation of getting our groceries etc. and booze, to us very promptly. Thank you all very much
I think you’re all brilliant! I shall learn to ‘do’ the till when all this is over, promise! Carol
Thank you seems like it is not quite enough for the work everyone is doing at the Hambledon Village Shop in these unprecedented times. But I do offer my heartfelt thanks and gratitude for your unselfish efforts.
So incredible what you all have managed to achieve. So well thought out and professional. The Parker family are so grateful
You’re all doing an absolutely brilliant job and we much appreciate all the hard work and effort that goes into keeping us all going with home deliveries when Waitrose and Tesco just can’t meet the demand. Well done. Keep well everyone involved.
Well done Rob! And everyone else
You are splendid! As we are self isolating we could not have survived without your delivery
You are splendid! As we are self isolating we could not have survived without you.
Excellent service. Thank you to all involved. The Trovo family
The Page family Hydestile
We cannot thank you enough. We are humbled by the dedication and commitment of all staff and volunteers keeping us fed at this time. The sense of community is greater than ever. We have been in lockdown with one of us poorly so to be able to rely on you all is a HUGE BLESSING! Thank you!
Rick Vicky Megan and George Page
I can only reinforce others’ comments – the organisation, effort and friendly faces. You are really making a difference. Very many thanks and stay well.