Gifts Today
RETAILERS’ PANEL
Introducing the latest members of our Panel – key gift shop owners around the UK – Lollypop and Brambles How confident do you feel about the future of your business? You have to remain positive and more people now know about the website. When we open our doors again, our customers will come back they haven’t gone anywhere! Have you attended any of the virtual trade shows? Yes, I did last year, and attended some sessions at Spring Fair. It’s a good way of looking for new products. I also look at social media and magazines to source new products. Plans for the rest of 2021?
Jayne Leggat Lollypop, Ramsbottom, near Manchester What’s the Lollypop story? We are very much a community shop, with a broad age range. We’re eight years old this year and pride ourselves on looking after our customers. Before opening the shop, I worked for various charities, following ten years in the hospitality/pub business as an area manager. The opportunity came up for the shop as the previous owners retired - it was something I’d wanted to do for a long time.
The first one was really difficult, as the website had only recently gone live, and there wasn’t the opportunity to do click and collect. However, I took orders over social media and delivered locally to customers, mainly to keep my sanity and to give me something to think about, and help people out. During the second lockdown in November, we really ramped up the website in terms of adding products, and were also able to operate a click and collect through the website. So this third one means we’re still adding to the website and more people are aware of us offering click and collect.
Continue to grow the online sales, expand our balloon business and welcome our customers back with hugs as soon as we can.
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I also look at social media and magazines to source new products
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How have the various lockdowns and restrictions been for you?
What’s the mix of merchandise in your shop? Cards, jewellery, homeware, children’s toys, baby clothes, gifts and candles. Brands include Jellycat, Dansk Copenhagen, Peppermint Grove, Marmalade of London, Powder Design, Sara Miller and Sophie Allport. Any surprise hits recently? Online hits have been silk eye masks and cards for click and collect.
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