28-29_David Robertson.qxp_Grid 23/12/2023 20:44 Page 1
OVER THE
COUNTER
BY DAVID ROBERTSON OF JP POZZI, ELGIN AND BUCKIE.
With Christmas and 2023 now in the rear view mirror, we can embrace the Year of the Dragon. People born in the Year of the Dragon typically symbolise authority, prosperity, and good luck. They are known for their captivating presence, unique personalities, and strong leadership skills. Sadly, I was born in the Year of the Tiger! However, I actually think 2024 should be renamed the Year of the Jellycat as so many of us indie retailers have relied on the incredible sales performance of this brand and all we can hope is that this will be repeated in the year ahead.
Inset: David will be embracing the Year of the Dragon showing his tiger stripes.
Unleash The Dragon…
We ended 2023 on a positive note. Sales were strong, customers old and new, found us and although costs continue to spiral there was a buzz in those last few months of the year. January is always a time for reflection as well as for stepping forward with exciting shows and new products. Looking back 2023 was difficult for me personally because of a number of decisions I made in 2022. One thing that is really clear was how well supported I was by family and friends to come through the challenges. I am sure many of you reading would also have been lost without help and guidance. Business can be a lonely
place so having a network that has your back regardless is invaluable. Running your own business takes guts and a certain level of belief. A big highlight for me a few weeks ago was to see my mum awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Moray Chamber of Commerce. In truth she is and always has been the strength and driver of our business. My dad and I were ‘the carriers’ doing the less glamorous side of the work, but my mum has always had the right touch. She finds the different products or makes something look and feel different. You can’t learn that. She will be celebrating her 80th birthday this year, yet she still shapes so much of what is good about our business. Another element of my retrospective of 2023 is to acknowledge the brilliant fight from so many publishers, retailers and the GCA to reach out to people about Far left: Jellycat’s products were a massive revenue generator for many indies in 2023, JP Pozzi included. Left: David’s mum and business partner, Lynda was recognised for her business and community contribution by the Moray Chamber of Commerce.
28 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE
greeting cards in support of the #Cardmitment campaign. A greeting card can and does make a huge difference. While the inaugural thrust of #Cardmittment was focused on Christmas cards, in real terms we do need to continue to remind people to send cards throughout the year. I am proud that I have definitely sent more cards in the past year. My own personal tick box is that I have sent many new businesses a good luck card even if I don’t know the owners as I feel that I want to encourage new business. This may sound a bit cheesy, but I still have the good luck cards from when we opened Bijou all those years ago and I am proud of them. My own Christmas card sending still needs to improve and it is again on the 2024 to do list. I really need to plan in that Festive Friday date like so many of you did. It is hard to believe that we are four years on from Covid yet we are literally still feeling the effects. The media has been filled with coverage of the questioning of key elected representatives from that time. As I listen to the way they acted, the language they used,