With the biggest trading season for retailers now well underway, PG Buzz caught up with Cathy Frost, owner of Loveone in Ipswich on how she is gearing up for Christmas.
Christmas run up: “We celebrated our 10th birthday at Loveone at the end of October, so before we decked the halls we had a Mexican-themed fiesta in the shop. This then nicely turned into a bright retro-themed Christmas window, using Acorn and Will products. The shop was fully bedecked for the Christmas period by 6 November, although some products were put out earlier, like our Art Angels’ Advent calendars and Christmas cards.”
Adding extra sparkle: “The shop will soon be open seven days a week and we are planning a couple of late night events in December, tempting customers with mulled wine and chocolates. Our community of traders, The Saints, are launching the season with an event on Sunday 19 November, when our town’s Christmas lights are on and we will be showcasing all the great independents in our area.”
Festive favourites: “The Advent calendars from Art Angels have started selling well, as well as a great new calendar from Jo Clark Designs called Naughty Dogs. As usual we will be stocking a wide range of Christmas cards from some of our favourite designers such as Chase and Wonder and Wrap, added this year to our collections from Maurice and Maude and Jade Fisher. We have some beautiful gift ideas from One Hundred Stars – scarves and kimonos – and one of our best-selling ranges is Orelia jewellery. A perennial favourite with our customers is Jellycat with many new designs for Christmas.”
Christmas crystal ball: “After a pretty quiet summer we are hoping for a busy season. I am predicting sales similar to last year. Customers are beginning to engage with the festive spirit, but the last few years have seen sales only really pick up towards the last few weeks of the trading period. I predict the same pattern this year.”
Santa’s wish list: “I would love a really busy Christmas in the shop. It is my favourite time of year and there is no better feeling than closing the door on Christmas Eve knowing it’s been a successful season. I can then really enjoy being home with the family and hunker down for a few days with good food, great company and plenty of board games. Simple!”
