43 COMPANY PROFILE Have any styles taken you by surprise with their popularity? Top of the list has to be the papier mache figurines of a fat lady in a swimming costume to hang from the ceiling. She is an impressive statement and brings a real smile to peoples faces. How do you keep your designs fresh and current? Do you follow trends? Batela brings a new collection to the market place each year, and this year around 40 per cent of the lines are new. The idea is simple, as we understand that independent retailers need to keep their range fresh each summer season, and we try to match that expectation. We would like to think we set our own trends! What sets you apart from your competitors? We specialise in a niche where the competition is fairly thin. We avoid the ‘kiss me quick’ market and concentrate on the better quality semi-premium market backed up with good quality and reasonable prices, with excellent customer service, and a great easy to use trade web site for ordering. How are you finding the current climate in the UK? Is it affecting business? Actually, Brexit gave us quite a challenge with paperwork for Customs, and although this is massive, we do it, meaning that our customers don’t suffer other than it has undoubtedly slowed delivery down. Having said that we continue to grow in the UK, and indeed across Europe, by double digit rates. How do you view the future of independent retail post-pandemic? We took the view that far too many chain stores were actually in financial trouble, expecting large discounts, and long periods of time to pay. The independent market is actually far more stable and reliable. We see steady growth and good payment rates. We like this market very much. Are you active on social media? How is this important for the business? We are on Facebook and Instagram, but surprisingly they are not very important to us at all. Quality e-marketing and Google Ads are far more successful. Do you have any advice for new businesses starting out in the world of gifts? Make sure you have a good consumer website! Many retailers will make a small purchase from this first to try the products and service first. If they like it, then they may well ask for a trade account. What can we expect in the future from the company? Steady growth, reliable service, and a range of products clearly targeted at living Sea Style! BATELA GIFTWARE T: +44 (0)1299 407 966 www.batela-giftware.co.uk
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