Comment: Retailers weren't welcome at the Olympics

3 Comments

As a confirmed internationalist, I watched the Olympic opening ceremony with a mixture of embarrassment and dread.

To my surprise I loved it, even to the point of a shimmy down my spine as Brunel quoted Shakespeare to the rousing strains of Elgar.

References to Britain as a former industrial powerhouse were a fitting reminder of what a few inspired British entrepreneurs can achieve when they put their minds to it.

But as we moved from production to consumption, the workshop of the world became simply the shop, pioneered by other great industrialists such as Henry Harrod, John Lewis and Messrs Marks and Spencer.

So why then were there no jolly, apron-clad shopkeepers in the pageant? No animatronic cash registers rising from the bowels of the stadium? Not even a personal appearance from Mrs Slocombe’s pussy?

Could it be that we’re only misty-eyed about past economic glories? Whereas a heritage stretching from Napoleonic jibes about “a nation of shopkeepers” to a present day contribution of over 8% of GDP doesn’t inspire such national pride.

Maybe retail is simply taken for granted by the public and Government. The perfunctory attention we receive from the latter and the lukewarm initiatives proposed to deal with serious concerns about our future would suggest as much.

When we won the Olympics bid I thought what a fantastic boost it will provide to business. That, of course, remains the Government mantra.

But the attitude towards retailers, as characterised by comments from Olympics minister Hugh Robertson, make it apparent that most of us aren’t welcome at the party. We’re regarded as a frivolous distraction to visitors, unless they’re buying from a sponsor.

In view of the reality of the past couple of weeks, it’s somewhat ironic that the opening montage was so respectful of our commercial heritage. Especially as if the Government continues on its present track, a lot more retailers may be soon be history. Still, I suppose that might at least guarantee them a mention in the ceremony next time around.