I regularly write a column for Drapers Magazine – Talking Shop – and thought you might like to read it.  Drapers is a Fashion Trade Magazine.  For more details go to www.drapersonline.com

My article ‘Instant gratification is stores’ major weapon’ is now online and in the Drapers Magazine http://www.drapersonline.com/5030385.article?referrer=e6

Below is the original article Online Shopping

Online Shopping

Whether we like it or not online shopping is here to stay.  With the disappearance of many familiar branded shops, such as Thornton’s, Habitat, Faith, to name but a few, I hope online retailing will not replace our much loved shops.  However, I think it definitely has been one of the factors in the demise of them.

Call me ‘old fashioned’ but I am a looky, touchy type of buyer and thank goodness there many of us out there.  However, every once in a while one is forced
to buy something online.  In my case it was perfume and not an unusual brand, as it happens.  Boots didn’t stock it, my local Debenhams didn’t stock it, either did my local indie stock it – so to keep smelling good I had to go online or go on holiday to get to the duty free – I didn’t have the spare time or staff cover to take a ‘business trip’ to Barcelona or Ibiza so it was the online option.

First of all, how many passwords do we really need?  Tell me I’m not the only one who gets annoyed at remembering what they are.  Tell me I’m not the only one who doesn’t print out the order confirmation form – my home computer isn’t connected to a printer.  Tell me that when writing down the order onfirmation code, as I can’t print it, that I also remember where I then put it.  And tell me you too forget your online banking code – what a nightmare that is?
How many times do we really need to keep logging on and off to our hotmail account to get passwords resent through?

How much more enjoyable it is to go into a store, have a browse, maybe collect your points, buy a new lipstick or smell other perfumes, pay for your goods, go home and put it on straight away – instant gratification. Us Indies have to embrace online shopping to stay alive and participate all the various social media interactions out there – onliners have to be convinced that they aren’t a number to make that purchase.  Unfortunately in the case of my perfume purchase that was all I felt like, especially when it didn’t arrive for 10 days, but at least I now smell good.

I regularly write a column for Drapers Magazine – Talking Shop - and thought you might like to read it.  Drapers is a Fashion Trade Magazine.  For more details go to www.drapersonline.com

Here is my original article ‘Independent Shopping’ that was featured in August’s 2011 edition. For the edited version ‘Raise your Sales by Raising a Smile’ (I always write too much – I have a target of 250 words) click on http://www.drapersonline.com/comment/talking-shop/raise-your-sales-by-raising-a-smile/5027836.article.

I have just written another ‘Online Shopping’ which will be featured in this Friday’s edition. When it has been published I will share the original with you too.

Independent shopping

Shopping has become a 21st Century hobby, whether it’s online or on the high street, it  is now many people’s weekend pastime. However, we all know it hasn’t been the  easiest of years (tell me when it was easy), with most retailers going into  sale early and continually hearing there is an increased number of vacant units  around Britain’s high streets.

So what can we independents do to keep our feet firmly on the high street? First and  foremost we need to understand the customer.

How many times have you as a customer thought twice about going into an indie? – be  honest. Was it that few customers were already in there and you don’t like  awkward spaces in conversation and environment? Was it that you knew nothing  about the labels and didn’t want a lecture on what is and is not hip – and I  don’t just mean the music playing? Was it that you weren’t dressed up enough –  didn’t have your ‘approving nod from the assistant’ clothes on. No? So, you  ended up in John Lewis probably, buying the usual brand not stocked in that  indie you couldn’t go into, and you probably had to make a car journey or order  online – oh the joys of making oneself feel comfortable just to purchase that  new top.

What I say is, be brave customer – go in that cool indie shop (all indies are cool,  aren’t we?) we won’t bite you and probably make you go out happy and smiling.

Here at Charlie Barley, we try and make the customer smile. When we have a promotion we  try and think of something fun to do. For example, at Easter, people had to hop  on one leg to get 15% off (or type HOPPING online at checkout). Customers were  literally hopping in the store.  It was
great fun and not only made me smile, but the customers too, resulting in  higher sales.

Another idea for increased sales comes from John (Co-Owner at Badger, Mens &  Womenswear Clothing, Brighton).  He says,  ‘Always ask your sales guy to provide staff uniform.  It is great for staff morale and helps push  that brand.’

The human race needs interaction with one another – that’s one of our strong points.  We don’t need to look at a till to read out  ‘Greet your customer’, because we automatically do it.

And it’s not just about the attitude, either, we’ve learnt a lot about pricing recently, too: David Woodward (from card emporium Custard, Brighton) says, ‘We wouldn’t be here if  we weren’t competitively priced – we have to be price conscious.  It’s wrong to assume my products are  expensive because my shop is a boutique.’

Here in Brighton we are ‘lucky’ as locals and visitors enjoy and support the indies, may  be because we don’t have a great department store, so people naturally shop  around.

So us indies have to be unique to keep attracting customers, whether it’s with our fabulous customer service, cool products or just by being competively priced but above  all we will fight to stay on your high street.

Aunty Ollie has done it again – fab vintage inspired prints on girls dresses, boys shirts and childrens summer hats – a great collection for this Summer 2011.

Here’s  a peak at what’s available for the complete Charlie Barley collection go to http://www.charliebarley.co.uk/index.php?route=product/manufacturer&manufacturer_id=11

Boys short-sleeved shirt £26.99

Flounce Sun Hat with ties £18.99

Blue Hummingbird dress £32.99

The Louie Louis Spring/Summer 2011 Collection has arrived and is now in store and online – Yay!  Louie Louis, a Danish brand, was founded in 2007 by Louise Frederiksen, who has Molo origins. Louise cares about where the clothes are produced, their functionally, comfort, quality and price.

Loads of fun is what LOUIE LOUIS spring/summer 2011 is all about. This collection has a vital graphic look with an abundance of little adventurous stories ready for boys and girls to dive into…
“Happy-go-lucky” oversize polka dots and classic sailor stripes, supported by a fabulous old school melange T-shirt quality and denim in cool baggy cuts for boys and girls in two different washes.
The colours are light inspired by the Scandinavian summer in cute, appetizing harmonies.

Bóboli is a Spanish children’s clothing brand, which has a modern feel with a classic twist. It is superb value. Teresa Ochoa created the Bóboli brand in 1984. The brand designers mix the principle of practicality with high creativity and the latest trends. Bóboli designs aim to satisfy all the expectations created around children’s clothes.

Here is a sneak peak of what’s available, with catwalk shows and a photoshoot below.

Sizes 2-8yrs from £19.99

Cotton dress & knickers Sizes 1mth - 4yrs from £26.99

linen dress sizes 6mths - 6yrs from £34.99

Linen outfit sizes 18mths-6yrs from £44.99

Fine knitted outfit (also available in pink) sizes newborn-6mths £34.99

Here at Charlie Barley we have already received the new Agatha Ruiz de la Prada Spring/Summer Collection.  True to form a fabulous collection, full of fun and colour.

Here a selection of some of the garments we have received.  For more please visit www.charliebarley.co.uk

Fun stripey dress £29.99 sizes: 1-6yrs

Block dress from £27.99 sizes: 3mths - 3yrs

 

Hearts sleepsuit £23.99 sizes newborn to 6 mths Also available in Blue stars

 

Star Romper £22.99 sizes: 0-6mths Also Available in pink hearts

 

Hat with ties £16.99 sizes: 3mths - 3yrs

Their garments are made in Portugal. A family run business, they have taken the UK by storm with their fun and creative slogans and fashion-forward collections.  

We have already received some of the new No Added Sugar Spring/Summer Collection, which is shown below, more is arriving very soon!

Shoot from the Hip Dress £59.99

Hyde Park Dress £59.99

  

Riverside body/dress £35.99

 

Little Gem bodysuit £27.99

 

Smiler Vest £22.99

 

Becker top £31.99 No Added Sugar's photoshoot No Added Sugar's photoshoot

No Added Sugar’s photoshoot

 

 

No Added Sugar's photoshoot

 

 

No Added Sugar's photoshoot

No Added Sugar’s photoshoot

View of the Show

Charlie visited the Bubble Kids Trade Show on 31st January and found some new exciting brands for the Charlie Barley retail and online store. 

Bubble London runs twice yearly in January and June in sync with the European calendar.  Bubble London’s philosophy is to bring a new generation of kids trade show to the marketplace. Each event is carefully conceived as a focused trade show in a wonderful space, where retailers can meet exhibitors from every aspect of the kid’s world: clothing to toys, shoes, accessories and more.

Melton Stand

Their Nibs Stand

Me TOO Stand

No Added Sugar stand

Bóboli is a Spanish children’s clothing brand, which has a modern feel with a classic twist. It is superb value.  Teresa Ochoa created the Bóboli brand in 1984. The brand designers mix the principle of practicality with high creativity and the latest trends. Bóboli designs aim to satisfy all the expectations created around children’s clothes.

Have a look at Boboli’s Spring/Summer 2011 Catwalk shows.

Pretty Boboli dress with matching knickers. Sizes 1m - 4yrs. Prices starting at £26.99

Boboli Girls Swimsuit. Sizes 3mths - 6yrs. Prices from £18.99

Fine Knitted Boboli outfit. Sizes: newborn - 6mths. Priced £36.99

Boboli White Linen shirt. Sizes 1mth - 2yrs. Prices from £19.99

Fun Boboli Swimming Trunks. Sizes 2-8yrs. Prices from £20.99

And the making of their catalogue.

For Boys Slogans include: ‘Lock up your Daughters’, ‘Menace’, ‘Enjoy Milk’ and ‘Pirate’

 For girls slogans include: ‘My Heart belongs to Daddy’

From sizes 0/3mths - 7/8yrs.  Starting at £21.99.