retail
BABY 2000
Service with a smile This month Nursery Today caught up with Baby 2000’s Manager Helen Clarke to find out more on this established independent retailer. you tell us a little about Portsmouth Baby 2000 – what was the inspiration behind opening the store? Baby 2000 is one of the longest established nursery retailers in the country located in Portsmouth, Hampshire. We are a totally customer service based company and although we accept price is important our priority is to make sure we give our customers a first-class shopping experience. This ensures that our customers can feel not only confident when shopping with us but also in recommending us too.
What type of floorspace do you operate within and how do you manage this? We have seven showrooms over two floors and outside three private undercover car parking bays. In-store, along with nursery furniture and toys, we offer over 150 different travel system options from top manufacturers, including some exclusive brands.
2021 was such a turbulent year, Covid to one side, what would you say was your largest challenge? Our largest challenge was to ensure we continued to provide a high level of service whilst ensuring a safe store environment for both our customers and staff.
And of course, what was your highest achievement? The launch of our brand new Baby-2000 website. 14
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What are your hopes for the year ahead? That our business continues to grow and that general manufacturers supply issues improve.
Have you experienced a difference in the way your customers shopping behaviour and buying patterns? During lockdown we provided a click and collect service for our local customers as well as continuing to ship both country and worldwide. We have generally found our website, Amazon and eBay sales have increased but our store still remains very busy. We currently operate a “by appointment only system” in store to avoid overcrowding. This means we are able to provide our customers and staff with a safe shopping environment.
You have a strong website – how important has this been to the business?
Sustainability and our carbon footprint are extremely important to us, we are always looking for products that are produced with this in mind.
you feel gives you the highest rate of engagement with existing or potential customers? We are extremely active on social media, in particular Facebook and Instagram.
As we work in such an emotive industry, how important is customer service to you? Providing outstanding customer service is what our business is built on and we expect the same level of service and support from our suppliers
When we look at product, do you feel we have sufficient innovation and new product launches? I feel that there is always a need for new products, the manufacturers and suppliers we work with are at the forefront of their field.
Our website is vital to our business as we sell not only countrywide but on select items worldwide.
What have you seen lately that you feel has the greatest level of newness and innovation?
Do you currently offer the same products online that you have instore?
We have been privileged to have been given a sneak peek of some fab new products launching soon but currently these are under embargo.
We offer a broad selection of what we carry in store on our website but both also offer exclusive deals.
What about social media, are you active on a platform that
Do you have a particular product or category that is performing exceptionally well for you at present? Car Seats and Travel systems are always very strong for us
