Sales stars are in the game with fingers on buzzers
With tv game shows enjoying something of a renaissance, as evidenced by the warm welcome back Deal Or No Deal received from the general public, PG asked some independent sales agents to put their fingers on buzzers.
In the first of the series we find out what points mean prizes on the scoreboards from Ian Bradley, Corinne Forbes, and the two Jos, Jo Bannister and Joanne McFarlane…
Contestant: Ian Bradley
Your Wheel Of Fortune: “I cover the Midlands representing Glick, James Ellis, Katie Phythian Design, Lagom Design, Louise Mulgrew, Lucilla Lavender, Paper Salad and Rush Design.”
Was 2023 a Deal Or No Deal: “Overall, 2023 was a higher or lower year. Shops had some of their best trading days and weeks and some of their worst too. I would rank my year as a solid 8 Out Of 10 Cats and think we’re finally ready to put the dramas of the last few years into the Dusty Bin. I have plenty of customers reporting increases in 2023 and some reporting decreases. Christmas reports have also been generally very good. So, all in all, I’m pleased with 2023.”
The Weakest Links: “Among the weakest links was the weather, at times too hot or too wet. It’s amazing how much both affect footfall – which leads me on to say that footfall has been and remains definitely one of the biggest challenges for retailers right now.”
The Mastermind high scorers: “All my principals did a fabulous job in 2023 and I look forward to working with them all in 2024. I have to say Glick has been exceptional, and I managed a Record Breaker year. Participating in the Cardgains Charity Challenge was a personal highlight for me too.”
Your Catchphrase for 2024: “My catchphrase would be ‘bring it on’! I’m optimistic and ready to build on last year.”
Fingers on buzzers: “I’d say Golden Balls. I do love a good gameshow and The 1% Club has been a particular favourite. That said, if I were to actually get the chance to go on one it would have to be Deal Or No Deal.”
Contestant: Corinne Forbes
Wheel Of Fortune: “My territory is Scotland and, with my two sub-agents, the card companies we represent are Belly Button Designs, Five Dollar Shake, Janie Wilson, Molly Mae, Paper Salad, Think Of Me, Wendy Jones-Blackett and White Cotton Cards.”
Was 2023 a Deal Or No Deal: “It’s too early to comment on Christmas as we only started back seeing customers a couple of days ago but, so far, I can definitely say it was a deal for us as a business. I’m delighted with our figures for 2023. Any customer comments so far have been of very positive Christmas sales and the majority of our customers were happy with the whole of 2023.”
The Weakest Links: “I’m not very doom and gloom! Everyone has little frustrations or setbacks, but we work in a fabulous industry selling beautiful products and working with lovely talented people – it doesn’t get much better than that really!”
The Mastermind high scorers: “For me it’s becoming so clear that High Street retail may be decimated with so many stores closing and empty units appearing, which leaves some of our main shopping streets looking very tired. This, however, is having a positive effect on our independent customers.
“There’s still a huge amount of people who are permanently working from home at least two days a week now. These people are shopping local. It started during the pandemic and I do believe our customers went above and beyond to keep their shops trading in any way they could. These shops are now reaping the benefit of home workers shopping locally when, in the past, they worked in city centre offices five days a week and probably hardly ever visited their local gift and card shops.”
Your Catchphrase for 2024: “To coin a phrase from Bruce Forsyth on the Generation Game ‘Nice to see you, to see you…nice’! This is what our whole job as an agent is about and, as long as customers continue to see us regularly to buy beautiful cards, then I’m happy.”
Fingers on buzzers: “If I had to participate in a game show it would have to be The 1% Club as this is the only one I’d stand any chance of winning!”
Jo Bannister and Joanna McFarlane of JJ Agencies – aka the two Jos
Wheel Of Fortune: “We cover retailers in the London area, and Joanna also covers Oxfordshire. We represent The Art File, Emily Nash, Glick, Louise Mulgrew, Paper Salad, Sally Scaffardi, Think Of Me and Tipperley Hill.”
Was 2023 a Deal Or No Deal: “As the months went by everyone tended to be a bit poker faced and it wasn’t obvious how well the year would end. Thankfully, by December, the game ended well with a crescendo of bigger numbers.”
The Weakest Links: “Strikes, strikes and more strikes.”
The Mastermind high scorers: “Top scorers were Christmas wrappings and a good full run up to December 24th.”
Your Catchphrase for 2024: “Limitless wins for everyone.”
Fingers on buzzers: “Blind Date and either or! We’ll leave that one there. If you know you know!”
