Gift Focus - Sep/Oct 2018 (Issue 109)

customers from all over the country and abroad. Our postage service helps us support customers in other countries. If we have offers, new stock or sale items, we make sure they go on our profiles so we can share them with not only our local customers but also the ones further afield so that they don’t miss out. How do you choose what to stock? The most important things to us when choosing new stock is listening to our customers. If we have had people in looking for a specific item and we unfortunately haven’t got it in stock, we will try our best to get it or something very similar. My team and I also make sure we pick products that we love and are passionate about. When we are getting new stock for the shop, we try to stay up-to-date with trends. This year, a big trend was flamingos, and our customers loved the garden statues we had on sale. How often do you change up your window dressings and displays? We update our window display at least once a week so customers walking past can see the different products we have on offer, and we use a similar approach with our displays inside the shop. We like showing different ways our products can be used together to give our customers ideas and inspiration for their homes. Do you attend any trade shows and if so, which ones and why? We go to all types of local shows, holding stalls there and meeting local people and potential customers. We did the Jimmy’s Farm spring fair and also the vintage show at Hedingham Castle. We love doing these types of shows and fairs because they’re a great way to get involved with different communities and also get our name out there. We think it’s important to support the local community and businesses. I always make sure I go to the shows at the NEC in Birmingham because they give me an opportunity to handpick all the special different stock that has just been launched. What are your plans for the future? I would like to look at perhaps opening another shop, but larger so that I can stock more furniture pieces in another location – and then who knows? I would also like to expand our online shop and have already got the go- ahead to sell our items on Amazon worldwide. I’m always looking for new ideas and opportunities. It’s a real passion of mine. Willow & Grey, 25 High Street, Halstead, Essex, CO9 2AA willowandgreyhome.co.uk giftfocus 135 retailer interview