With the biggest trading season for retailers now well underway, PG Buzz caught up with Beverley Green, owner of Blue Rose Gifts & Balloons in Heywood on how Christmas is panning out.
Christmas run up: “Here at Blue Rose Gifts & Balloons our Christmas season began on Monday 23 October as that was when we put out all our Christmas stock and window display. This year we have a life size balloon modelled nativity scene.”
Adding extra sparkle: “We took part in the town’s Christmas Festival and Lights switch on, always a busy day for local retailers. We had a ‘Merry Minion Christmas’ themed float in the town’s Festive Parade that takes place immediately prior to the ‘Big Switch On’. We take part as a business each year and our float is done in conjunction with KATS Dance, a local young people’s dance group based in Heywood – this further helps raises our profile.
To boost sales of our Christmas cards we ran our ‘Buy 5 cards and get another free’ offer, as it helps to drive up our sales. We also produced a Christmas brochure highlighting our new range of cards, gifts and chocolate products. The brochure also includes a 10% voucher off any purchase made in December.”
Festive favourites: “This year we launched an exclusive handmade chocolate range called Blue Rose Chocolates. Made especially for us by a professional chocolatier, these individual pieces of chocolate can be made into a personalised message of love with pictures. Beautifully packaged, we expect them to be a big seller.”
Christmas crystal ball: “We are hoping for a good season. Sadly, our local high street lost two competitors this year, while we don’t wish this on anyone, their demise has seen an increase in our footfall. Something which we predict will be further reflected in our Christmas sales.”
Santa’s wish list: “We are hoping for a great Christmas and look forward to singing the retailers’ song: “Jingle Tills, Jingle Tills, Jingle all the way!”
