Gift Focus inc Attire Accessories - Page number 34 - May/June 2021

VICTORIA EGGS T: +44 (0)208 013 3284 E: info@victoriaeggs.com www.victoriaeggs.com kitchen textiles, hand decorated fine bone china ceramics, kitchenware, homeware, accessories and stationery. What are your most popular products? Our most popular products are the hand decorated, fine bone china baubles and mugs. These make thoughtful gifts that are treasured by all recipients. Have any styles taken you by surprise with their popularity? We introduced fine bone china baubles to the London Collection around three years ago and they have been our best- selling products ever since, even in the summer! They are the perfect keepsake and a reminder of a special time and place. Hanging them on your tree every Christmas is such a lovely tradition and one that prompts memories of special times, places and people. How do you keep your designs fresh and current? Do you follow trends? All of my designs have been inspired by things that make me feel warm, comfortable and happy. Most of them are timeless and will continue to work well in years to come. The main objective is that they are packed full of sentiment and bring a smile to our customers’ faces. My latest design Wildlife in Spring was inspired by childhood memories of exploring hedgerows around the UK on family holidays as well as special time spent with my daughter picking daisies and enjoying the sounds, the smells and tastes of nature during lockdown in Spring 2020. Whilst we do not follow trends, we are able to react quickly to key historical events such as Royal Weddings and births, and these designs have been hugely popular. What sets you apart from your competitors? Manufacturing in Britain is at the heart of the business; all of our products are proudly made in the UK and the designs are constantly evolving and move in directions that you wouldn’t expect. How are you finding the current climate in the UK? Is it affecting business? Our main focus has always been on selling directly to trade customers; however, this past year has forced us to make some huge changes and increase our brand presence online to increase direct sales. We are also supporting retailers where we can by offering no minimum orders and providing them with high quality imagery, so they are also able to continue to sell online to their customers. Are you active on social media? How is this important for the business? Yes, we post on Instagram and Facebook daily, we share what we are up to, new designs, ideas, products and ask for feedback. It’s hugely valuable to get this interaction with our customers. Do you have any advice for new businesses starting out in the world of gifts? I think the key things to focus on at the start are your margins, your USP and brand story. Also consider who your customer is and where you can find them. If you’ve got a great product and all of this in order, then you’re in for a real adventure! What can we expect in the future from the company? After 10 years in business, we now really understand who we are and what our customers want. Our focus moving forwards is to expand into new product areas, continue to create new and exciting designs and increase brand awareness. How do you plan your day? I start my day with an early morning walk and trip to the park with my daughter, using this time to clear my head, have fun and get ready for the day. I plan each day the day before, so I am ready as soon as I sit at my desk with a cuppa! I always “eat the frog” first thing! I identify my most important task (and usually the most difficult) and do it first and without any distractions, it’s amazing what you can accomplish when this is your focus. This leaves the rest of the day for more creative and (usually) enjoyable tasks! 34