Gift Focus - Nov/Dec 2018 (Issue 110)

Can you tell us when and why you opened your shop Loveone? Loveone opened its doors on the high street in November 2007. I had been working as a freelance interior designer but had increasingly found myself sourcing and buying homeware products for clients, such as vases, candles, frames and pictures. I put together a small collection and started trading online and selling at fairs. When 21 St Peter’s Street became vacant, I decided to jump right in. I had little retail experience, but I was full of passion for my products and loved shopping. Trading online had felt a little isolating, and I really enjoyed the contact with the public at the fairs. Being based on the high street is never dull. Can you describe your product offering and the suppliers you use? I started life as a homeware and interiors shop, stocking interiors accessories. However, when the recession kicked in, 2009 proved a make-or-break year. It was obvious that I couldn’t continue selling the same products, so I diversified into the gift market. I also tapped into the local artisan scene, selling locally designed and made items. So Loveone is now a one-stop-shop for gifts, offering cards and a wrapping service. Our local suppliers include Tosier Artisan chocolate, printmakers Brie Harrison, Jack Cripps, Boo Hamilton Frost and Suffolk Candle Company. I sell an eclectic range of colourful and unique gifts, jewellery, homeware, toys, cards and gift wrap. I buy little and often to ensure the stock rotates frequently to keep our regular customers interested and engaged. How do you choose what products to stock? Our buying checklist includes the following questions: Does it make us smile? Have we seen it before on the high street? Is it colourful, made locally or Fairtrade? And does it fit our overall eclectic mix? I do dip in and out of trends, but am not a slave to fashion, as I like to think many of our products are timeless. What are your current bestsellers? Our current bestsellers are cards, including designs by Wrap, Jo Clark, Stormy Knight, Art Angels and Cardnest. Orelia jewellery is always popular, it offers several collections a year at a great price point. Jellycat toys are another big seller for us. Last autumn/winter, one of our most popular products proved to be lurex ankle socks from Black Colour, a Danish accessories brand. How often do you change your window and shop displays? Displays and windows are quite dependent Cathy Frost, owner of Loveone in Ipswich, speaks about her passion for her eclectic gift offering for the love of it 56 giftfocus