Industry News
Is the “new normal” a chance
to prosper for locksmiths?
» IT’S SAFE TO SAY THAT WE HAVE ALL
been through the mill over the last four
months. Whether furloughed or continuing
to trade, businesses have been affected in
one way or the other. Locksmiths during
the lockdown period continued to operate,
but mainly only offering emergency
call out services, whilst their shops and
trade counters were closed. Business
was impacted across the country and we
unfortunately saw some companies close
their doors for good. As we slowly return
to some kind of new normal, we look at
the ways Avocet customers can help give
their business a boost in an attempt to reestablish
a full order book.
And it starts by looking at the
opportunities the “new normal” presents
to our customers.
The enforced lockdown during the
pandemic, saw many people remaining
indoors, shielding from the virus and
staying safe in their own homes. And with
more people staying at home, it actually
had the positive effect on reducing crime
statistics. The National Police Chiefs
Council recorded a 37 per cent monthon-month
fall in burglaries in England
and Wales. Clearly would be intruders
were being faced with a more difficult task
when thinking about home invasions.
Technically, burglars have been on
furlough.
So, what happens now? It’s a sad state
of affairs that as more and more people
return to work, poorly secured homes will
once again become vulnerable as would be
burglars resume their nefarious activities. A
burglar prefers an empty house, somewhere
they can carry out their work uninterrupted.
If properties don’t have sufficient security in
place, their job is being made easier.
In our opinion, this is the time that
locksmiths need to be marketing
themselves heavily and getting their
services and wares, front and centre in
their prospective customers’ minds.
We’ve all heard the phrase,
prevention is better than a cure. This
is never truer than when it comes to
home security. For anyone who has
been victim to a burglary, the pain and
suffering felt, lasts long and cuts deep.
Treasured possessions have been stolen
and personal space violated and these
are things that can never be replaced.
By investing in high security door
locks, every effort is being made to
stop burglars in their tracks and this is
the message that locksmiths should be
pushing heavily at this moment in time.
It’s something that at Avocet, we can
help our customers with when it comes
to communicating and marketing this
particular message.
We have drop cards and flyers which
can be personalised to the customers
requirements and with just a little
bit of shoe leather and time, these
are a very simple yet effective way of
getting in front of the customer. By
educating the homeowner with police
backed statistics, it’s an obvious way
of enforcing how important proper
security measures are and how easily
changing a door cylinder can turn a
vulnerable home into a secure home.
So yes, it’s still tough out there but
there are opportunities if you make
yourself visible, informative and helpful.
And there really isn’t a price on feeling
safe in your own home.
We’re still all finding our feet as we
return to work and get the wheels of
industry turning once more. For many
of our customers who don’t have access
to marketing support, Avocet is here
to help in any way we can. Simply
contact marketing@avocet-hardware.
co.uk or call 01484 725645 for more
information.
www.avocet-hardware.co.uk
8
JUL/AUG 2020
locksmithjournal.co.uk
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