Retailer in Numbers

“Our organic brands sell well and we have a small toy collection with our Kaloo My First Doll being a star.”

Above: Nodpod is the item the team always recommends and Odd Socks has been supplying the product since the shop opened.

OLD AND NEW FRIENDS

“I have worked with my main five suppliers from the beginning. It takes time to understand what the customer likes, etc. Our newest brand is Blue Seven, which is trying to fill the best value items while still being ethical and on trend.”

Above: Odd Socks is based in Beccles in Suffolk.

GOING DIGITAL

Since lockdowns started, owner, Julia Warnes, says: “We have put nearly all our clothing online and focused more on reaching out to customers with news and details of products and what’s happening, just to have us fresh in their minds.”

ODD SOCKS IN NUMBERS

Family owned Little Poppets started life in Llandudno, Wales in 2012. Two years later, the business moved to Sevenoaks in Kent, where it still is today, and where it has grown to be one of the largest independent nursery stores in the south east.

Above: The Odd Socks store is small but mighty.

STORE STATS

• “We have four people in our team.” • “The average spend per customer is £30.” • “There were four boxes in our last delivery.” • “We refresh our window display every week.” • “The shop is tiny! We are about 5m x 6m with a smaller area at the back about 3m x 4m that includes our storage area – small but mighty.”

TOP SERVICE

Julia and her team were pleased to reopen stores after lockdown: “We can only offer the great customer service face to face – when someone wants to look at some different items before deciding, we can do that. You can touch and feel the different brands and see what you get for your money – totally impossible online.”

MY HERO!

“The product we point people to for a really useful baby gift is the Nodpod – a baby blanket with legs that is made here in England in some lovely designs. We found them when we started and they were new in business as well so it seems a natural partnership and we’ve been working with them ever since – they’re not available anywhere else locally.”

Above: Despite being small, the retailer offers a wide range of children’s clothing.

WHAT’S HOT?

“In this area, baby pink and baby blue is not so strong as the louder colours from the organic suppliers, but still has a place in-store here. I am conscious people are looking for affordability so it’s always on my mind when I buy.”