Craft Focus - April/May 2021 (Issue 84)

79 RETAILER INTERVIEW Describe your product offering. How has your product offering changed over the years? Have you seen trends come and go? I’m of an age where I’m seeing a return of crafts that were popular in the ’60s and ’70s like macramé and lampshade making. It’s great to know that skills don’t become ‘extinct’. What are your current bestsellers? My current best seller is yarn − especially Chunky and Super Chunky. It seems everyone is knitting! Even though we have more time, we still want projects that don’t take forever! Are you active on social media? How is this useful for the business? I try to post on Facebook once a day. It’s not a hard sell and contains personal snippets (as well as using it as a selling site) letting my followers know what’s new and happening each day. Facebook has been brilliant for selling during lockdown. Do you visit any trade shows? If so, which ones and why? What other ways do you source products for your store? I have visited Stitches for as long as I can remember! I find it inspiring and motivational. I’m always on the lookout for new products. I also find it gives me an insight into what’s trending as do the trade magazines such as Craft Focus and they’re all year round unlike the show. You have worked as a guest speaker at Stitches and h+h in the past, tell us more! I spent 20 years demonstrating at Stitches until 2019. Firstly, for Habico and then Prym, both of which I work closely with. I’ve also demonstrated for Prym at h+h in Cologne which was a huge eye-opener for me. Until recently I demonstrated on Hochanda TV (I started at QVC and then Create and Craft went to Hochanda in their early days). How do you feel about non-essential retail opening on 12 th April, 2021? I’m excited to be hopefully opening on 12 th April. Although we have done click n collect and web orders it’s not the same as face-to-face contact. The rules will be the same as last time, face masks to be worn, two people in at a time - it’s not very big, and hand sanitizer available. My customers felt very safe last time in the shop and I want them to feel safe again. Do you have any tips for people looking to start their own retail venture? Do your homework first. Check out the competition and whether there’s room for you as well. Offer different products. Don’t open a shop just because you enjoy crafting − product knowledge is important, but you have to know how to handle the business/ financial side. Customer service is paramount, always be positive. You only get one chance with customers and if you’re a bit ‘off’ with customers they won’t come back! I’m passionate about giving the customer the best service possible and making them feel special. The same applies to the website, if I don’t have a product in stock that a customer has ordered I always phone to apologise − it’s that personal touch. COTTONTAIL CRAFTS 16 Duke Street Settle North Yorkshire BD24 9DN www.cottontailcrafts.co.uk