22-23-24-25 FFT USE_muk_Grid 12/08/2016 15:50 Page 24
Food for thought
Left: Maureen of Bakers and Larners with Tina of Aldiss.
Maureen Hooker, head of home, Bakers and Larners, Holt
Tina Barkway, trading director, WJ Aldiss
Biggest challenge? “We find internet sales are a challenge. We offer excellent customer service and knowledge of our products. We are always friendly towards our customers, and we listen (including a voice at the other end of the phone).” Super talent? “Maureen, goddess of home cooking.”
Biggest challenge? “Competitive pricing – so many online retailers are unnecessarily cutting prices on core products. Suppliers need to have a more disciplined approach to pricing and stockists. In-store, we price match.” Super talent? “Tina, goddess of shopping.”
Inset: Dean looks at Plugged-In entries.
Right: Lyn beside one of the tables decked with tableware.
Lyn Walsh, assistant buyer, Harrods Biggest challenge? “On going discounting. We tackle this by sticking to a strategy, and brands need to be selective in distribution.” Super talent? “Lyn, goddess of ironing.”
Dean Hawes, buyer, Williams & Griffin (Fenwick), Colchester Biggest challenge? “Out of town chains. We need to tackle the challenge by standing out, with new brands and products, and using social media.” Super talent? “Dean, god of forecasting sales trends.” Below: Matt from independent cookshop, Essentials exchanges ideas with Lakeland’s Samm.
Matt Fendall, manager, Essentials, Hazelmere
Biggest challenge? “Footfall in a saturated market (internet and supermarket). We need to tackle this with support from suppliers and manufacturers on their pricing (not discounting to supermarkets). We also need to focus on saving the high street, looking at rates, and getting the council’s help on parking issues and planning (turning down fast food in favour of retail).”
Samm Swain, merchandising manager, Lakeland Biggest challenge? “Selling products at full margins is tough in the current climate. However, we have to recognise and accept that price matching is now ‘business as usual’. We can plan and choose whether to promote but we can’t choose whether or not to price match – the customer will catch us out!” Super talent? “I’d like to be the Queen of Halloumi grilling – my son tells me I do the best Halloumi with the right level of ‘squeak’! However, in reality, I’m the Queen of multi-tasking!” Below: Beatrice from Debenhams looking at the Excellence in Homewares categories.
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Progressive Housewares