March toy shop aims to not feel full force of 'fun deficit'
Some people are not spending as much on their hobbies amid the cost of living crisis
As the cost of living crisis continues, some people in Cambridgeshire may be spending less on some of things that are 'fun' to them.
More than 40 per cent of people have stopped some form of social activity in the last financial year according to Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS), creating a ‘fun deficit’.
CAS also found 23% of people north of the border have ended a hobby and given up a pet as financial pressures take their toll.
Phil Rolfe owns Outer Rim Toys in March, which sells items such as toys, board games and sports products and feels customers are being more careful with their money.
"Footfall is lower than we'd like"
“I think it’s people being cautious with higher prices on essentials, such as energy, food; everything is more expensive, so a shop like mine that’s non-essential is put on the back burner,” he said.
“We always try to do things that are not commonplace with other shops in the town, as well as good quality toys and games.
“Footfall is lower than we’d like but it is what it is in retail; you have ups and downs so hopefully it will turn a corner and pick up again.”
Shop owner hoping 'good reputation' helps return of customers
And while the UK inflation rate dropped to 7.9% in June this year from 8.7% in May, Phil believes reputation will help encourage more people to spend more on their hobbies.
“I think we’ve got a fairly good reputation for selling good quality toys and games, but it’s difficult to forecast the future,” he added.
“Hopefully the cost of living crisis and inflation will come down later this year and people will have more disposable income which will help non-essential shops like mine.”