5 minute read
Sarah Gordon, general manager
Since 2014, Luss General Store in Loch Lomond has been sourcing gifts from around Scotland, with a focus on products crafted by local suppliers. Unlike the usual tourist fare, the retailer goes out of its way to offer items that are high quality but reasonably priced, as Sarah Gordon, general manager retail & leisure at Luss Estates, reveals to Clare Turner
What’s your background?
I’ve worked at Luss Estates for many years. I started as a part-time retail assistant and, after several career transitions, I now manage an enthusiastic team of 15 working across Luss General Store, Loch Lomond Faerie Trail, Luss Filling Station and managing two car parks!
Tell us about your business.
Luss General Store opened in 2014 in the picturesque village of Luss, on the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond. Our lovely shop is set within a listed building which dates back to the mid-19th century and for many years was the old Village Post Office.
What sets you apart from other gift shops?
From the start, we set out to showcase and champion local and Scottish craftspeople and makers, and our range of artisan products reflects this philosophy. Our customers love our bespoke collections, which are inspired by our beautiful location and are not available to purchase anywhere else.
Our Luss Fine Leather collection marries our bespoke tweeds with fine leather to create a stylish range of bags and small leather goods; Luss Apothecary presents candles, diffusers and soaps infused with pure essential oils; custom artwork by Emma Ball features sights around Luss and Loch Lomond on a range of homeware; and our shortbread tins featuring artwork by Daniel Campbell and filled with award-winning Chrystal’s Shortbread just fly off the shelves!
How would you describe your range?
We offer a carefully chosen collection of stylish, Scottish-inspired gifts, and handcrafted products by local suppliers.
Some of our own favourites include cosy woollens from the Tartan Blanket Company; bespoke tweed and leather goods crafted using our own estate tweeds; and contemporary slate dishes, hand-cut in Fife.
We have an enviable larder filled with tasty treats from throughout Scotland. Coffee from
“From the start, we set out to showcase and champion Scottish craftspeople and makers, and our range of artisan products reflects this philosophy” Top 5 Best Sellers
1. Chrystal’s Shortbread 2. Bookspeed books 3. Various cuddly soft toy unicorns 4. Selbrae House etched slate platters 5. Various Scottish whiskies and gins
the Argyll Coffee Roasters in Tighnabruaich and homemade dessert sauces from Don’s Dairy on the Isle of Gigha, share shelf space with melt-in-yourmouth shortbread, handmade by Chrystal’s which is based just minutes from Luss. And, of course, we have a selection of Scottish spirits including Isle of Harris Gin, Tiree Gin and Shetland Reel.
What are your key categories?
We pride ourselves on offering a wide range of gifts, homeware, accessories, and food and drink.
How many suppliers do you deal with?
Lots! As we source products from small local makers as well as national suppliers, we have a long list! For instance, we source all our books from Bookspeed but we have handmade Fairtrade fairy decorations from Believe You Can, and Luss Guidebooks from the local Development Trust.
How do you find products?
As well as attending trade shows. I do lots of research online, on social media, and around the UK.
What’s your selection criteria?
Luss General Store strives to stock pieces produced locally and created using traditional crafts. The support of niche and unique craftspeople extends beyond our local environs in the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park to Scotland as a whole, with handcrafted pieces coming from as far afield as The Hebrides and The North Isles.
We proactively source products from producers whose principles are in line with our commitment to environmental and social sustainability. The majority of our products are made in Scotland and the UK.
We stock a number of products which are Fairtrade or support social enterprises. It’s important to us that our ranges reflect Luss Estates’ overall philosophy in terms of support for the local economy, community and environment.
How is trading for you?
2022 was a good year - better than might have been expected, given the circumstances.
What strategies have you used to tackle the challenges?
Staying fluid and flexible - moving ranges around and editing the collections and displays.
What categories are selling well?
Gifts and homeware are strong.
What are your best sellers?
Shortbread is definitely up there! We have a really interesting selection of books ranging from Scottish cooking to plant care and the history of unicorns to walking guides.
Loch Lomond Faerie Trail [an award-winning woodland trail full of family adventures which is around a mile long] finishes at Luss General Store, so our gorgeously cuddly soft toy unicorns are always a hit with the little visitors to Luss.
The range of Selbrae House etched slate platters featuring Highland Coos [a Scottish breed of cattle] and stags is very popular. We are also well known locally for our handpicked selection of Scottish whiskies and gins.
What’s next for your business?
We are adding a farm attraction to the fields next to the store with alpacas, Pygmy goats, donkeys, Shetland ponies, Highland Coos and sheep… so we will be selling some animal feed!
The attraction will also offer alpaca walking and donkey grooming sessions with afternoon tea afterwards at The Loch Lomond Arms.
What’s your 2023 retail resolution? Stay nimble and flexible!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?
The opportunity to work in one of the most idyllic places in Scotland (even though it does rain a lot!) and, of course, having a wonderful team to share lots of laughs with.
And the most challenging?
The unknown! The seasonality can be a real challenge in terms of footfall, though identifying the pattern helps us to plan ahead the best we can.
