Retailers’ Panel

Gifts Today RETAILERS’ PANEL

The latest members of our Panel – key gift shop owners – introduce their businesses and tell us what makes them so special. This month both shops are called The Gift Box – one in Derry, Northern Ireland, and the other near Chester

Danielle Kearney

The Gift Box

Derry, Northern Ireland

What’s the story behind your role in the shop?

I am assistant manager and merchandiser and work along side my aunt Catherine Kearney (pictured right with Danielle) who is business owner and manager. The Gift Box opened in 1994. I’ve helped in the business since I was 14. I worked in Miss Selfridge for eight years and came to the Gift Box after studying a Business with Retail course.

How did you cope during the three lockdowns?

The government’s help was definitely needed and necessary. It

‘was very tough but we ended up driving sales through Instagram and Facebook – we’d be lost without social media and try to post at least three times a week. We set up a website during lockdown and hope to continue to increase our sales and online presence as well as expanding our range of brands.

How was reopening?

It was quiet to start with but has started to pick up. We’ve noticed a huge increase in people shopping locally which is amazing as we rely on tourists during the summer season.

What’s the mix of merchandise in store?

For fashion, we stock Jayley, Nour London jewellery, Powder, Sarah Tempest, Owen Barry and House of Disaster. Coach House does well for dining, Christmas and household, and we also stock Joe Davies, Richard Lang, East of India, Widdop & Co, Deva Designs and Heaven Sends.

We offer WJ Sampson & Co, Artbene, Shannonbridge Pottery, Bog Buddies, Doudou Et Compagnie, Pebblechild and Jellycat. We designed our own

What trade shows do you visit?

We have visited Home & Gift, Autumn Fair and Spring Fair for years as well as Showcase Ireland. They’re where we’ve found the majority of our brands and also we’ve also discovered companies to design bespoke gifts for us.

The government’s help was definitely needed and necessary. It was very tough but we ended up driving sales through Instagram and Facebook – we’d be lost without social media and try to post at least three times a week ‘

range of Derry gifts with Southfield Ltd just before lockdown and it has been an amazing seller, as people have missed home.

Typical customer?

Women ranging from the age of 25-70, although we have had an increase in younger customers recently. We get male customers at Christmas and shopping for occasions.

Average spend?

The average has increased. We’re getting more £50 sales these days – it would have been £20 previously.

How have you been sourcing new products recently?

We have been Googling wholesale for products we would like to stock as well as looking on Instagram and through Faire.

How does your online offering do?

Sophie Bryant

The Gift Box

Hoole, near Chester

The Gift Box opened in 2010. How did this come about?

I worked here as a Saturday girl from the age of 14 until I went off to university to study Fashion design at Manchester Metropolitan university. I then worked as a designer in the high street fashion industry for a few years before deciding it wasn’t for me. I came to help out at the shop while I decided what to do. The previous owners had lost interest in it by then and it was very run down. They parted ways with the business and that’s when I decided I could re-invent the shop and create my vision. I started the business in 2010 when I was just 25 and have never looked back.

How did you cope during the three lockdowns?

Being told had to close my business was a really scary time. It’s my pride and joy and I’m always there so I was so worried and anxious about how I would keep the business going. The first lockdown was hard, going from being a really busy person to not being allowed to work was difficult to adapt to.

I am really lucky to have such wonderful loyal and supportive customers who continued to contact me and buy via Click & Collect when we were allowed to do this in the second and third lockdowns. This kept me busy and focused, too.

The government support I have received has been fantastic, I really can’t complain at all. It really helped to pay all the bills that continued to roll in even though we were closed.

How was reopening?

I was so excited but also nervous.

It was so good to see everyone

‘Being told had to close my business was a really scary time. It’s my pride and joy and I’m always there so I was so worried and anxious about how

I would keep the business going ‘

again and I feel that my customers felt safer coming in to my shop than they did to go into larger stores in the city centre. It felt so good to be busy and in my routine again. I’ve really gone for it with the shop since re-opening and spruced things up and got lots of lovely new stock in.

What’s the mix of merchandise in store?

I love to stock beautiful things and often receive lovely comments about what a fantastic range of products I sell. This includes ranges from Richard Lang, Gisella Graham, Katie Loxton/Joma Jewellery, Powder and East of India.

I also sell children’s gifts and toys and one of my main suppliers is Jellycat. House of Marbles also does great.

I have lots of greetings cards from suppliers such as Woodmansterne, Ling design, Caroline Gardner, Pigment Productions, Cherry Orchard Publishing and Tracks Publishing. I also like to stock greetings cards from small independent artists and have a few ranges from local artists in store, too.

I also do helium balloons for special occasions and am often very busy with orders - especially on a Saturday morning!

Typical customer?

Houses surround my shop, so I get a real mix of people coming in. From workmen nipping in for a quick present for their partner’s birthday to little old ladies buying their birthday cards. I love the diversity and that you never know what the next challenge will be when someone walks in and says ‘have you got…?’

How important is social media to your business?

It really helps to engage customers with my store. I try and post every day especially on Instagram stories with little snippets of my day, what new stock is arriving and generally anything that’s current.

Are you planning to visit any of the upcoming trade shows?

Not this year, but I hope to in 2022. I continue to do my research in other ways to find new and interesting suppliers. I often spend my day off scouting out what other stores have in and researching for new ideas for displays as well as suppliers.

I did well online during the lockdowns but since customers have returned to store it has gone quieter. I think my customers love to see and feel what they are buying or often just pop in for a browse and stumble across something they love.