40 Sparkinity? We’re proud to work with a diverse range of independents. From gift shops, cafés, and lifestyle stores to florists, online boutiques, and pop-ups. What unites them all is a passion for beautiful, meaningful products that connect with their customers and tell their story. Can you tell us some success stories about brand/retailer collaboration from using the site? We’ve seen many retailers and brands form strong, mutually supportive relationships through our platform. One of our younger retailers has been thriving, thanks to the tools and support Sparkinity provides – from access to differentiated products not found elsewhere to a steady, dependable stream of highquality items from their chosen brands. It’s truly inspiring to watch these symbiotic partnerships take shape, where each party supports the other’s growth under the Sparkinity umbrella. We’re passionate about nurturing these connections, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see them flourish. Do you attend any trade shows and if so, which ones and why? We regularly attend Spring Fair, Autumn Fair, and Top Drawer in the UK, and have also exhibited at Maison&Objet in Paris – with plans to expand our presence even further next year. Trade shows are always an invaluable experience for us. They allow us to connect directly with the industry, meet new brands, and spend time with those already part of the Sparkinity family. That face-to-face interaction helps us build lasting relationships and have the kind of meaningful conversations that deepen our understanding of how we can better support both retailers and brands. It’s also an opportunity to see what’s working – and what’s next. Understanding where the industry is heading helps us focus on what truly makes a difference for our users and shapes how we collaborate with brands to create products that help both retailers and brands grow What has been your standout moment since opening the online service and why? We’ve had several standout moments, but one that truly stayed with us was hearing from a retailer who had recently launched and joined Sparkinity. A year later, he reached out to thank us for helping his store grow, from a small pop-up in a local market to his very own permanent shop. Part of that success came from being able to stock products that made his store stand out. That message meant a lot to us, because from day one our goal has been to make it easier for anyone with a dream of starting their own shop or brand to bring that vision to life – to remove the barriers, ease the journey, and ensure they feel supported along the way. Another highlight has been a recent brand collaboration that allowed a creator to take on a project unlike anything she’d done before. We visited her workshop, learned her story, and worked closely together on ideas that reflected her unique style. The process was incredibly rewarding – a true meeting of creativity and collaboration – and the final collection exceeded all expectations. We can’t wait to see it launch later this month and to watch it help retailers differentiate themselves in a competitive market. In what ways are you positive about the future of independent retail? This is an incredible time to be part of independent retail and the wider maker movement. Independent retail has always played a vital role in supporting, creating, and connecting communities – bringing products, stories, and personality to our high streets and local spaces. Today, that role is more relevant than ever. Shoppers increasingly want authentic products they can connect with on a personal level – whether through the brand’s values, the design, or the story behind it. It’s also about the experience: the joy of visiting a store that reflects the owner’s vision, discovering something meaningful, or simply enjoying the experience of having your favourite coffee while browsing candles that align with your values of sustainability, authenticity, and quality. What are your plans for the future? We’re incredibly excited about the future of Sparkinity. Over the next year, we plan to expand across the UK before taking our concept to Europe and the US. Our goal is to scale our mission – helping retailers access truly differentiated products while fostering meaningful collaboration with brands across multiple continents. At the heart of Sparkinity is our commitment to supporting creators at the grassroots level – giving them the tools, platform, and opportunity to succeed. We want to be the ground zero of creativity: a space where new brands are born and existing brands can prosper, where independent retailers can shape their own stories, and where remarkable businesses take root and thrive. Our vision is to create a platform where creativity meets opportunity, empowering creators, brands and retailers to redefine the future of independent retail. SPARKINITY www.sparkinity.com
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=