Gift Focus - Jul/Aug 2019 (Issue 114)

122 means that we genuinely feel happy to recommend our products to our customers. We get it wrong sometimes, but generally we have a really cool collection. How often do you update your displays? The shop is continuously changing as occasions come and go, as well as new ranges being added. It helps keep it fresh for our customers and also gives the shop a new look. What are your current bestsellers? Travel accessories and Scottish gifts are doing well, as people are planning for summer holidays and the tourists have started arriving into the city. Other popular trends at the moment are products with avocado and sloth designs. Are you active on social media? How is this useful for the business? Yes, we use social media on a regular basis to keep our customers informed of new arrivals, offers and giveaways. They are great communication tools that most of us use on a daily basis. Do you visit any trade shows? If so, which ones and why? We do several shows a year – namely Spring Fair, Harrogate and Scotland’s Trade Show. We much prefer to plan and buy in one place so that we can see the full offering and make decisions for the year ahead and ensure that we cover all the bases. How are you finding the current economic climate? It’s been a strange start to the year, not poor but a little flat. As Brexit looms large in people’s minds, I think that customers are more reluctant to spend money when there is such uncertainty about the future. Overall, we are still performing well this year, but we work very hard to make sure we keep attracting customers. What have been your highlights of shop life? One of the greatest things about running a business like ours is that all our customers are very friendly. We don’t have any difficult customers, and the shop – with all its bright colours and unique products – seems to makes them happy. The atmosphere is very upbeat at all times, which really makes our working day much more fun. Do you have any tips for people looking to start their own retail venture? I would say that it is rewarding in so many ways to do something that isn’t just about making money. Being in a role that lets you look forward to your work day can’t be underestimated. Hard work is essential, but then you also get to see what you are made of as a person. Don’t expect immediate success; it takes time, and make sure you stay true to your own vision and don’t let other people sway you. However, do listen to the advice of people with experience, as they will save you from making some common mistakes that a lot of start-ups make. What are your plans for the future of the store? We will be starting a project to refurbish the store and create more functional and adaptable displays. We have a big 10 th birthday to celebrate later this year, so we have some special events planned for that. Besides that, we will just keep getting better and improving our ranges. See the shop online at maiagifts.co.uk