Shop Talk Name: Christina Kenchington, Store Manager. Shop: MOOCH Address: Market Place, Olney, Bucks
Please describe your shop. MOOCH is on the Market Place in the centre of Olney; an idyllic market town known for being the home of the hymn Amazing Grace, plus it’s where the pancake race originated. The store is a fair size with its own Card Room. It’s an old building (previously the post office). However, it has been split in two, MOOCH on the left and Out of Office Coffee on the right (best coffee in town!). How did you get into the greeting card industry or retail? Purely by chance. I worked in London within the insurance sector, but years of long hours and travelling began to take its toll. I decided I needed a change of pace. MOOCH was a new shop coming to the town and I jumped at the chance of working where I live - I’ve not looked back. What are the best and worst things about working in retail? The best thing about working in retail is the customers. We have a wide range of ages that visit us and we love to chat and assist each one of them. As we are a fairly small town we have lots of regulars that we are on first-name terms with; some of the stories we are told are so interesting. We also get huge pleasure from assisting customers with their purchases as we also wrap every gift and dress gift bags if purchased. It’s small details like this that keep our customers coming back time after time. The worst thing I’d say is unpacking boxes; but it’s always worth it when we display the gorgeous gifts. What cards are selling well in your store at the moment? Lagom; these are simple sentiment cards, but they are so popular. Customers buy handfuls of these at a time, especially during the pandemic as they were a lovely way to communicate with friends and relatives.
What card range or category do you always keep in stock? Woodmansterne cards are always in my Card Room. Their variety and designs cover every occasion with well-known names such as Sanderson, Quentin Blake, Emma Bridgewater and The National Trust. They are very popular, good quality and plastic-free packaging. What’s in your window at the moment? There are three windows. I dedicate one to children’s gifts, another howcases artwork, and the middle one is seasonal. I am currently prepping to dress that window for the Jubilee plus incorporate Father’s Day. What’s by your till at the moment? At the till I currently have Oli Olsen Metalmorphose bookmarks and lipbalms. What plush toys do you stock in your shop? The Puppet Company, Wilberry, Kaloo, and Best Years. What are your best selling plush toys? Definitely the puppets, especially the Finger puppets and Sockettes (see above). What advantages are there to selling plush toys in the shop? I soon realised that plush toys appeal to the young and old, and everyone in between. I ensure I have a variety in the children’s window and often get asked for help with finding something they have seen while outside, either for gifts or themselves. What’s the most surprising thing a customer has done? I think the most surprising thing we have had at MOOCH are customers coming back and giving us thank you cards /chocolates / flowers. We are always so humbled that they want to show their appreciation for our help and service.
Best Selling Greeting Cards
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www.lovecountryuk.co.uk support@lovecountryuk.co.uk Tel: 01502 507352
