Buying power

from Boutique Magazine May 2023

Powerful partners

If early forecasts prove correct, this month’s triple Bank Holiday bonanza should provide a real boost to retail footfall. It was wonderful watching the country come together to celebrate the King’s coronation and we loved seeing all your creative window displays to mark the occasion. Hopefully, when coupled with the promised temperature rise this month, retailers should see a spike in sales to make up for the slow start to the season.

ON THE COVER:

Image courtesy of Campo Marzio; Tel: 07973 718 301 campomarzio.uk

Of course, the arrival of summer also means a new buying season. And if you’re hoping to plan your schedule in the coming weeks, you’re in the right place as this issue includes a summer 2023 trade show guide covering the industry’s biggest events. Pure London and Scoop will take place simultaneously at Olympia this July while Just Around the Corner will run over the same weekend at new Wapping venue, the Tobacco Dock. Hopefully this will help ease some financial pressure on retailers by allowing buyers to make their selections in one fell swoop. For those who prefer to buy in the midlands and north of England, INDX Woman and Moda at Autumn Fair promise to provide lots of inspiration for indies while Harrogate Fashion Week will run for three days instead of two for the first time.

Turn to pages 21 – 28 to for this season’s trade show calendar.

Speaking of must-attend events, we have been very busy behind the scenes planning the Boutique Star

Awards 2023 winners’ party. The competition will be bigger than ever this year with even more trophies up for grabs for indies and suppliers. Entering is completely free and all indies operating at least one bricksand-mortar store can take part. We had a brilliant night celebrating at the May Fair Hotel in London last year and we’ll be sharing plans for what’s in store for 2023 over the coming weeks. If you haven’t already entered, turn to pages 40-41 for 10 reasons why it could help boost your business.

L ast but not least, this issue includes interviews with two inspiring indie retailers. Very Stylish Girl founder Helen Portas reveals how she made the move from online to bricks-and-mortar on pages 43-46 while Velvet and Rose’s Shirley Leader talks spring sales on page 48.