Indie accolades

Inset: Odd Socks owner, Julia Warnes has received a lot of support since announcing she won the award.

Four independent retailers were recognised in last year’s glittering Progressive Preschool Awards ceremony, bringing a highlight to the end of what has been a turbulent year for many retailers. The winners have been sharing with PPS about their last year in business, their hopes and plans for the future and what their award means to them.

Julia Warnes, owner, Odd Socks winner of Best Independent Apparel Retailer

“I was just putting some figures in and when you look at the months we were closed, it is just unbelievable really that we’re still here. Obviously we’ve had to take loans to stay here. Being a relatively new-ish business anyway, we hadn’t really settled in before we hit the Brexit debacle and then this on top of that. I feel like we’ve had three years of turmoil.

“We’re now into year six, and I had given myself a five-year limit, but we’ve carried on and support since we’ve re-opened has been pretty good. People love to come in to shop. The high street just has to somehow carry on. It’s lovely to see people and help people, rather than just being an online presence. This has to be the way forward. Customer service is key for me; I focus on those that need help selecting gifts. We wrap and pack too, so they can come, get the gift, hand it over and they haven’t had to do anything else.

“It’s really lovely to be recognised that we are doing a good job through the awards. I thank all the people I work with for that as well. We got a lot of support when I put it out there that we had won the award, lots of wonderful comments.

“In 2022, I want to get back to a position where I am confident financially that we can move forward, and my main aim is to grow my online sales, to give me the push financially to help keep the shop open. But 90% of my business is through the door, so I look after my customers locally and then hope to push online to give us the boost we need. If I could see myself this time next year as being in profit, that would be wonderful.”

Susannah Irving, associate director, Bumpstart Baby Shop winner of Best Independent Nursery Retailer

“The beginning of 2021 was tough for retailers, however luckily with our online store we were able to tick along. As soon as our doors opened in April it has been full steam ahead with a very busy and positive year of trading.

“It was incredibly frustrating to be considered as a non-essential retailer, considering we sell car seats and multiple other essential baby goods. Thankfully, we are well set up with a good online platform. We were quick to extend our offer to include virtual appointments, to ensure our customers could still experience our personal shopping service, which proved very popular. We also offered free delivery and a click and collect service. We also had the rare opportunity to have a good old clear up and move around in-store.

“The key things keeping us going have been a sense of humour and dogged determination. In all seriousness, the support of our team has been incredible, as well as our suppliers and of course our loyal customer base who continued to spread the word and utilise us and appreciated the extra services we put in place during the lockdowns.

“Helen, our director who started the business 30 years ago, is stepping down in early 2022. We’re keeping it in the family, and Susannah (me), the original Bumpstart Baby, is taking on her role. We’re planning some system overhauls and a few exciting aesthetic changes to the store itself.

“The Progressive Preschool Award has been a massive boost for our team; we were overwhelmed and thrilled to be nominated, let alone win Best Independent Nursery Retailer. The award is proudly displayed next to the till, and our team love the chance to chat about it to customers.”

Below: The Bumpstart Baby team love the chance to chat about the award in the store.

Inset: Hellen says the PPS Award couldn’t have come at a better time.

Hellen Stirling-Baker, founder Small Stuff UK, winner of Best Independent Gift Retailer

“2021 has been a really tough year, from having a particularly challenging Christmas 2020 with the pandemic, to then being closed at the beginning of the year - it’s been hard to gain the traction and get customers to come out and visit us again in-store. These challenges have, however given me the opportunity to really step back and re-evaluate the business, get some fantastic new suppliers on board and work on the experience, vision and ethos of my store. We are now in such a better place.

“Knowing that I have the best, most loyal customers who absolutely love the ethos and vision of the brand is the best thing about being an independent business. I have also worked really hard this year to grow and promote the ethos of the brand and being able to work with some incredible organisations such as Planet Mark, has helped me deliver that message nationwide.

“I am really looking forward to 2022, I have some incredible plans in the pipeline, such as growing the Clothes The Loop second hand range, opening more opportunities to new suppliers and working on pop-up shops to promote the brand even further. "The main goal over the next year would be to make the business model less linear and work with more incredible charities, organisations and shared value partners. 2022 will hopefully bring Small Stuff a third year certification from Planet Mark and I’ll be working towards becoming a B Corporation too.

“Winning this award came as an incredible surprise, and after a difficult few years within retail - it couldn’t have come at a better time.”

Sarah and Lee Borastero, owners, Kids Stuff Wells winner of Best Independent Toy Retailer

“2021 was a strange one to say the least. We started it in lockdown, thinking it would only be for a couple of weeks. Four months later we were allowed to reopen. We missed most of the Easter rush, but were thankful to see our loyal customers back in the shop. Tourists soon returned too, with a vengeance, due to everyone having a ‘staycation’. It has been one of our busiest years to date.

“During the first lockdown, we offered a local free delivery service with all orders. This proved very popular, we were just as busy as if the shop were still open. We utilised social media a lot, and to our advantage it worked.

“We have a very loyal customer base who have been behind us all the way. As a traditional toy shop, it has come in handy that we stock a variety of games and toys. We have had great interaction with customers through social media, and being able to post up to date stock information has helped them in making purchases more easily.

“Still being able to bring great service and great products to our customers has been a highlight for us. We are still very passionate about the toy industry, and as it’s our livelihood, we will continue to have fun in what we do.

“The main goal for 2022 is still to be trading, but also to grow our customer base; To source good quality toys and games at the upcoming trade fairs; To continue to see the smiles on the faces of children when they step into our shop.

“We were, and still are, overwhelmed by winning the Best Independent Toy Retailer award again (we won in 2013 too). As our business is a family concern, with all our children working in the shop or behind the scenes, we are very grateful to be recognised with this award. It proves hard work does pay off.”

Below: Kids Stuff’s award win marked the second time the retailer has been recognised in the awards.