Crystal Ball Anyone?

Image by Jayjay402 via Flickr

I often wish I possessed more magical powers - being able to predict lottery numbers would certainly be really useful, and in my past and current role being able to spot bestsellers and knowing how much to buy of each item would be a really handy skill.

But alas, unless any of you has a spare crystal ball, (willing to collect), I have to resort to a special recipe, evolved over years working in retail: Take a pinch of historical sales, add a touch of current trends, and then the abracadabra bit - gut instinct!

Ok - its not fool proof - but when launching a range which has a fresh new look, already fetching more interest and excitement than current ranges, there isn't a lot else to go on. So it was with some trepidation that I placed the first order for Ochre And Ocre's new British collection this morning. There are some new lines that we have no history on at all - so it is really finger in the air time. How many tea cosy's will we sell - and will people like our handy new carrier bag holders? Which design is going to be stronger? We have had so many requests for blue to go with people's kitchens, will customers like the lovely Isabella print, or will the fun Madelaine be more popular.

When developing the range a select panel of friends and acquaintances voted on the initial designs, and it was a real Millionaire moment: 50 /50, phone a friend? With votes spread fairly equally across the two, it is going to be interesting watching the sales in the first initial weeks.

So keep an eye out on our website, the new British collection will be going live by the end of February. And if any of you want to place a bet on the winning design and item, the odds are looking pretty good at the moment!

Knobs and Whistles

Image by waferboard via Flickr

Our first big wholesale show is fast approaching - and despite having attended it for over 15 years as a Buyer, being on the other side fills me with nervous anticipation!
We were very excited when our giant backdrops arrived this week, which will form part of our stand. Using images of the Fired Earth kitchens taken by Rachel Spivey, the full size kitchens look really impressive.
One of my important jobs this week was knob buying, (no jokes please!), as we want to make the 2D image 3D. Now I can't take any of the credit for this cunning plan, but our thanks do go to Jo Verity, who before she became jewelery and homewares designer she was a visual merchandiser, and so has a brilliant eye for all things display. (Her stands at shows are always works of art).
With the knobs duly purchased and matchpot paint to paint the knobs we tried to mock up the layout for the show.
Our hall temporarily became exhibition space, with tape and rulers marking out the space. I filled up the hall with mannequins, small tables, and all our other props, and I am relieved to say it seems to be coming together. Unfortunately / and fortunately a phonecall from the estate agents requesting a viewing of our house cut short the pre run, and I had to lug all the props back into the store. There followed a period of Monica like madness where I hoovered, dusted and polished and titivated the house in readiness for the viewing.
But I think we are nearly there; the invitations have gone out, the samples are nearly ready, so I just need to get busy with the velcro and knobs!

Highly Commended

Ok - I've stopped bouncing now. I started last Thursday, I was just sitting there catching up on blogs as I was eating my lunch, and I did a double take as I read the My Deco blog - did it really say Ochre & Ocre had been Highly Commended in an award???

I reread it 3 times, ok they had miss spelt Ochre And Ocre, but it was definitely us.
Clicking through to the Awards site for The Online Retail Awards, I was even more flabbergasted to read who we were up against. The White Company were a runner up, after us! OMG - I have been following The White Company as they have grown over the years, and they were always my inspiration, mainly due to the simple concept and in that they started from their bedroom at home. (Ok - marrying Charles Tyrwhitt may have helped a little bit, possibly...).
I heard Charles speak at the Sheerluxe conference last year, and he was really interesting. He was one of those people who just takes risks, and 9 out of 10 times gets away with it.
Anyway, I'm straying from my topic - of self congratulation here. Go on, you've got to let us bask just a little bit in this one. Also in the category was Target(US company), and Amazon. So it wasn't as if we were up against small firms.
The feedback from the judges was, "that it was a user friendly and innovative site".
Needless to say I was straight on the phone to Phillippe, from Blue Earth Solutions, who we worked with to develop the site, my other half, and my mum in that order.
The first two were equally thrilled, although I think the enormity of the situation was somewhat lost on my Mum.
The winner in the Home and DIY category was My Deco -  a new interiors site from Brent Hoberman who co founded lastminute.com.
Anyone who is into interior design should have this site bookmarked, as it is really user friendly, you can build story boards, shop, get the latest trend news - a really useful site.
So we may have gone out that evening to celebrate, and ok, we may have had a glass of fizz, as the occasion deserved, and I may have failed to make it to the gym Friday morning - but it was worth it!

Happy New Year!

Sorry - I know my blog is belated, and neglected after the chaos of Christmas and all the build up to it!
The good news is our photoshoot for our new Ochre And Ocre British Collection went really well. Timing wise it was quite hairy, with the samples arriving on the Friday, and the shoot on Monday, Christmas week. Leaving me a weekend to iron everything, make Lavender bags, cushions, and sort out suitable props.
The shoot day arrived and it was very icy and snowy - but with a car laden with boxes of samples, food for propping and eating, plus a wide selection of plates, bowls, glasses, and cutlery. (I knew there was a reason I keep buying gorgeous ceramics!).
I was really thrilled to have found a gem of a photographer in Rachel Spivey - a talented soul, she has a real passion for her role, and was really easy to work with.Do take the time to check out her website, as she covers a really wide range of topics, from corporate to weddings and even burlesque!
We took over the top floor of the Fired Earth studios in Adderbury, with our boxes, lights, and equipment. Luckily as it was Christmas week, and their sale had not yet started it was really quiet. A few customers who did wander up the stairs, were not at all worried that the lights were off, and we had some really positive feedback on the new ranges.
The Fired Earth colours complimented the new range perfectly, (or is it vice versa?), either way it was a match made in heaven.
We were done and dusted in a day, and we are thrilled with the results. Rachel was a real star and worked on the images over Christmas, enabling us to get them our first week back.
(We might of snuck away for a small break over Christmas, but I don't think anyone noticed!)
It's now full steam ahead with preparations for the Spring Fair at the NEC in February. Stand planning, price lists, invites, the list seems fairly endless, and as its the first time there is bound to be something we have forgotten. Plus I'm hoping to shoe horn in a days trip to Portugal to go through the sampling, and cover all the points required for the new production. So a busy start to 2010, but an exciting one too!