[New] A BOHEMIAN TOUCH FROM SIDCUP’S INDIAN ROSE

Most of them have been with us for a long period of time. They are a huge asset to the business”

POP-UP SHOP TO BOUTIQUE STORE

Indian Rose dates back almost 10 years. Initially the store was in Bexleyheath and was a pop-up shop.

The business really took off but when the chance came to move to Sidcup into more ‘permanent’ premises, Jane and Veronica didn’t hesitate.

The shop has been a popular and eyecatching attraction on the Sidcup High Street for six years now. “We try to make it a one-stop shop – for jewellery, dresses or gifts. It is a bit like a mini-department store,” Jane explains.

In fact, to mark its sixth year in Sidcup, Indian Rose organised an event at the store, with great giveaways and birthday offers. There was a great turnout and a superb community spirit as all the store’s regular customers joined in and enjoyed a glass of Prosecco on the house.

While Indian Rose does have an online business, the bulk of its sales comes over the counter at the store. “We would like to boost our online business, but our store is really about the experience of being here and browsing. Also, what you see on the website is only probably around one quarter of what we have to sell,” Jane explains.

The name Indian Rose came about because when the business was set up it offered a mixture of exotic

Indian/Moroccan crafted jewellery and clothes; alongside British made, more traditional fashion (that’s the ‘rose’ bit).

While Indian Rose does sell some big brand names in its boutique it also offers a wide selection of ‘unusual’ and carefully curated items from far afield.

Jane and Veronica are keen on seeing what is new and interesting at trade shows and are prepared to source suppliers abroad if they offer something exciting and different.

Broad Appeal

As for the ‘typical’ customer to come through the door, Jane believes the appeal of Indian Rose is pretty broad.

“In the past I would have said most of our customers would have been in the 35 and above age bracket but more recently as young couples have moved into the area, we are getting younger people interested in what we sell.”

And when it comes to affordability – the intention is to offer quality at a reasonable price. “You can find a gift for £10 or a dress for £150 – there is something on offer for all budgets,” Jane explains.

She adds: “We buy our clothes in small numbers so that customers appreciate a certain unique quality in what they buy.”

Given the store’s individuality and its knack of finding interesting sources for exotic fashions – and at good prices, Indian Rose looks set to go from strength to strength. Watch this space!