6 minute read
FIRST PERSON
Laura Daly delights in that retailers now work closely together and exchange views on business as well as on suppliers, but stresses the need to strive for perfection if you want to stay on top
The autumn exhibition is fast approaching and I still get just as excited about attending as I did that very first time back in 2001. I love catching up with my industry friends, and I love the buzz in the Harrogate halls. I think it behoves any serious business owner to be knowledgeable about what’s out there, and to see what all the various labels are producing, including those we don’t stock ourselves.
I will happily walk around every hall multiple times, to get a feel of where designs are going and to ensure that my shop will be best able to reflect the trends on show. I’ll talk to any and every one, and make it my business to renew old acquaintances and spark up new contacts. I love the parties, the dinners, the impromptu meet-ups and chit-chat, and the camaraderie that is so special within the bridal industry.
I’m extremely proud to know some absolutely fantastic shop owners; business people with a real passion for their industry. Your dedication to making your businesses a success mirrors my own and I salute you all!
The same goes for my suppliers. Without a solid base of designs and customer service, I couldn’t operate Bellissima in the way that I do, and I am grateful for their forward-thinking and support.
Over the years, I’ve seen many help if you need to. There are plenty move with the times, no doubt they bridal shops, labels and designers of bridal business coaches out there will eventually hit a brick wall. appear, flourish, win awards, and then these days who, for a fee, will help Those who don’t support a retailer disappear, never to be seen again. you see the light if dark clouds are in times of need - for example, Sometimes it’s not been too much gathering, or may even be able to stop a burst zip, a faulty dress, a late of a surprise - bad customer service you from making mistakes in the first delivery - will increasingly find or shoddy quality are not typically place should you be a new start-up. themselves dropped for companies qualities that ensure you a long Alternatively, if you’d prefer advice that do. And, as shops across the and profitable life in business - but, from the collective experience of over country nowadays are much more sometimes, it’s been quite shocking 100 years of bridal retailing, you can inclined to share information with to see how quickly a seemingly join the Retail Bridalwear Association each other than ever before, we successful brand can tank. It’s got me and have unlimited access to the know who you are! thinking about what really makes for brains and experience of the owners Our brides are becoming more longevity in this industry and what of some of the top shops in the UK. and more aware of ecological and traps can be avoided to ensure that Associate membership of the RBA political issues, too, and we need to we remain current, desirable and is available for those who have been be able to understand the supply (dare I say it) profitable! trading for less than five years, and full chain better and, at the very least,
We retailers have to walk that membership for those trading longer. to be able confidently to confirm tricky line between being true to our We will advise, mentor and assist that no child labour is involved in the own unique vision and giving every our associate members to bring their production of a dress. customer exactly what they demand. businesses up to scratch because we Fortunately, there are many In our quest to be all things to suppliers and designers who all people, if we’re not careful, consistently get the quality/ we can lose our identity; that price/design/service ratio special something that our correct and will always do particular ‘Bride Tribe’ seeks well. Retailers will seek out out. From there, it’s easy to companies who stay true become just another stop to their core values, who on the route to the wedding move with the times, who where everything’s adequate invest in the business, and and perfectly pleasant who position themselves but nothing’s special or as a desirable label to the memorable in any way. truly wish to see our industry improve. consumer, the bride.
Of course, we need to move with You can choose one of us or all of us, It’s always refreshing to find the times, constantly re-invent whoever you feel an affinity with. It’s a supplier who looks after the our offerings, our décor, our staff only £500 a year (plus VAT) and could retailer, who maybe even spoils us training, our social media - the list well be the best investment you’ve occasionally, who takes the time is endless. And we need to have the ever made. and effort to understand what we courage to price our goods properly, For suppliers, well, walking around go through to sell their products. understanding their value in the the exhibition halls these last few The truth is, ultimately we have to market, and not underprice just to years, I’ve come to the conclusion that work together and we each need win sales that ultimately don’t bring in that there are way too many suppliers the other if we’re going to make any enough to balance the books. chasing the same market with virtually significant progress.
Failure to address these issues can the same dress and I’d say this needs The traps and pitfalls of trading have a very detrimental effect and to change. can be avoided - but it does take all the money that’s been invested, Those who sell overpriced and constant dedication, time and effort. all the time and effort that’s been underdeveloped styles that are So, have fun at Harrogate but tread applied, all the sleepless nights, all impossible to alter or have a poor fit, carefully and thoughtfully - oh, and the hopes and desires and everything may well have a few years of being come and meet us on the RBA stand else could count for nothing; so don’t the ‘it’ label if they fit the zeitgeist but, and consider joining us in our quest be afraid to ask questions or look for unless they continue to develop and for excellence!
www.romanticaofdevon.co.uk
