Indie card shop, Best Wishes in Bishop’s Waltham is definitely brimming over with festive cheer, with the last five days’ trade being among the strongest in the retailer’s 10-year history. This recent sales surge, which continues a strong Christmas trade pattern, coincides with Best Wishes having been announced as Retailer of the Year by the respected Hampshire newspaper, the Southern Daily Echo.
“What a way to end what has been an amazing year!” exclaimed Russell Payne, who co-owns the independent specialist card shop with his wife Yvonne about the award. “We have been overwhelmed by the reactions from customers who have come into the shop, several giving us congratulations cards.”
As Russell explained, “We were delighted make it into the finals, especially as it was totally reliant on the public’s nominations. And then for customers to collect and post off coupons they collected from the newspaper to vote for us as the winner is incredibly gratifying. I never thought we would win over John Lewis, but just goes to show how much people appreciate personal service from retailers in their community,” added Russell.
The contest involved the Daily Echo asking its readers (which span a wide catchment radiating out from Southampton) which shops they would most like ‘to spend their hard-earned cash or just enjoy a browse’.
The newspaper has run an extensive news item on the shop, fanfaring how Best Wishes is a former finalist in The Retas as well as the retailer’s customer-focused and community activities. These include sponsoring the local football team (Bishop’s Waltham Dynamos), organising an Easter Egg hunt for 1,000 school children, being a leading light in the town’s Christmas Fayre as well as its own ‘Children in Need friends and family Christmas event’ to kick start its Christmas trade.
“Winning the award is like having extra icing on the Christmas cake!” summed up Russell. “We are not sure whether the boost in our trade over the five days since it was announced is down to our win or whether people are just out shopping earlier we will not know fully until we count up on Christmas Eve, but this year’s festive sales are going fantastically well – and big thanks to publishers – most notably Cherry Orchard and IC&G – for being so swift in getting top up orders out to us!”
Top: The Best Wishes team are feeling extra festive after the award!
