I Opened My New Shop at the Start of the Corona Crisis
Launching a small business on the cusp of a global pandemic and the UK’s worst recession in recorded history sounds like the premise for a sitcom, coming to a screen near you in 2030, maybe. Comedy, the saying goes, equals tragedy plus time. 2020 hasn’t exactly been a barrel of laughs so far for anyone living through it. In February, after over two decades of imagining and two years of planning, I set up Laura’s Larder, a fine food store, and delicatessen. I know exactly how hard this year has been for the little guy.
Fortunately, there is still plenty to smile about in the ‘new normal’- not least our shifting priorities and a new-found sense of community and togetherness. Times may be a-changing, and the national commercial outlook may be volatile but staying on top of developing trends can help you adapt to emerging conditions, as well as give you a leg up on your corporate competitors.