Shop Talk
Name: Pamela and Graeme Ness Shop: Bearing Gifts Address: Church Street Troon, Scotland Tell us a little about your shop. I’m Pamela Ness and along with my husband Graeme we run Bearing Gifts, a small independent card and gift shop in the heart of Troon. Troon is situated on the west coast of Scotland and is a thriving seaside town. It has two primary schools minutes from the shop and we benefit from passing trade to and from the schools . We have a great customer base as we have been trading for the past 35 years in Troon. We have young mums shopping with us who came into our shop as children, and grandparents who have been loyal customers since the shop opened. My mum opened the shop in November 1986, as a children’s book shop with cards, and I ran it for her. Over the years we have had to adapt and change - and move with the times. More and more cards appeared and gifts started to replace the books. Mum retired almost 25 years ago and my husband Graeme, who had been made redundant at the same time, was looking for a new challenge and we bought over the business and have run it together ever since. What are the best and worst things about working in retail? The best thing about working in retail and running a small business is without doubt the customers. Over the years we have met the most wonderful people .
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The worst thing …. struggling to think, but probably not having enough time off together as we are open six days and only close for Christmas and New Year public holidays. What cards sell well for you? Cards I would hate to do without are ranges from Wendy Jones Blackett and Janie Wilson. Humorous cards have become so popular over the past year, I think everyone needs a giggle and some light relief . It’s great when you get a group of women in who roar and laugh at your cards and end up leaving the shop with smiles on their faces and the next few months of birthday/occasion cards bought . Rosie Made a Thing and Dandelion are firm favourites in humour at the moment. What’s the most unusual thing a customer has asked for? To be fair we don’t get many odd requests - but one customer was very surprised we didn’t sell any blow-up parrots! What makes your shop stand out? I’d like to think our fantastic selection of cards! How do trade magazines like Greetings Today help you? Trade magazines like Greetings Today keep me up to date with the latest trends and what’s new.
“We have young mums shopping with us who came into our shop as children, and grandparents who have been loyal customers since the shop opened’’
