December’s general election has raised fears among retailers of disruption to peak trading. But perhaps the political showdown brings an opportunity for store groups to welcome more shoppers by serving their communities.

A few themes have quickly emerged since the election was called. All will hope for a final resolution to Brexit, which has divided the nation so poisonously.

From a retail perspective, there is a concern the election will be all-consuming, creating a diversionary get-out-the-popcorn soap opera as the arguments rage during peak.

“Why not open polling stations in shops, giving retailers the chance to benefit from associated election footfall?”

And, more critically, businesses fear it could prompt people to keep a tight hold on the purse strings as they consider the economic implications for themselves and the country.

On a more superficial level, the timing of the vote has led to much discussion about the likely disruption of nativity plays as schools become polling stations.

Many parents are probably breathing a sigh of relief at being spared a front-row seat to those amateur dramatics, but the possibility opens the door to an alternative option on polling stations. Why not open them in shops, allowing the traditional festivities to proceed uninterrupted and giving retailers the chance to benefit from associated election footfall?

Corporate citizens

While the issue has been propelled up the agenda by the unique circumstances of this general election – and it is unclear whether the ‘threat’ to nativity plays even exists – there is a strong case to be made for in-store voting more generally.

It’s not new, actually. For the referendum in 2016, several of shops doubled up as polling stations. In Derbyshire’s Amber Valley, votes could be cast at Tesco’s Heanor superstore, Sainsbury’s Ripley supermarket and Asda’s Langley Mill branch, as well as at Mugginton village hall and the band rehearsal room in Belper.

In this year’s EU elections, the storeroom of a Co-op in St Austell, Cornwall, played host to the poll.

Good corporate citizens that they are, retailers ranging from Ikea to Marks & Spencer open up space in their shops for community use throughout the year. They, too, could be deployed to enable boxes to be crossed on December 12.

It happens overseas as well – supermarkets in the USA have been used as polling stations. In 2016, Boost Mobile let people vote in some of its branches – an initiative launched to improve access to polling stations for minority and low-income voters.

UK Plc

While retailers frequently make their space available to community groups or for the common good because it is the right thing to do, there is no shame in also benefiting commercially from a halo effect.

If they made space available for voting, they would need to scrupulously observe electoral rules but they could create opportunity from the associated footfall.

“In-store polling stations could be a reminder of the role played by retail as a contributor to thriving, lively communities”

Without being intrusive or overstepping the mark, there could be a chance to showcase Christmas product, drive promotional sales, foster the festive spirit or simply acquaint more consumers with their propositions when they arrive to back Boris, Jezza or Jo. It might prompt a click-and-collect order that would otherwise never have been made, or spark a wander along the high street.

Most importantly, in-store polling stations could be a reminder of the central role played by retail as a contributor to thriving, lively high streets and town centres, and the communities that depend on them.

Who knows, it might indirectly spur whoever wins this election to truly recognise retail’s importance as an employer and contributor to the success of UK Plc – and to finally address the burden of business rates that threatens so many retailers’ success.