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!

Delaying tactics

Image via Wikipedia

I don't know if anyone else has this problem or maybe its just me - but when it comes to doing something I don't really enjoy, I manage to find 101 things to do instead.
I dread getting the Bank statement through the post, as it means I need to update the accounts, and tackle SAGE. I don't mind analysing sales, best sellers etc, but somehow just entering numbers doesn't do it for me, so I seem to find lots of other things to do - hence writing the blog now. Well I did need to update it!
We are not so much winding down for Christmas at the moment, as gearing ourselves up for a 2 day photoshoot next week. I went and met our new photographer on site yesterday just to check the layout and lighting levels, and to go through the shot options and styling. Then a quick trip round Sainsbury's to get some food props - if anyone had looked in my trolley they would think  I had a strange diet of red onions, cherry tomatoes and garlic.
Luckily when it comes to the ceramics I have lots of prop options - from my time as Kitchenware buyer at Allders to  Gift Buyer at Wedgwood - I've always had a penchant for nice ceramics. Add in a few cookbooks, pestle & mortar, and pepper grinder and we are good to go. Apart from the one vital ingredient; the new samples themselves.
It has been a frustrating week, rearranging dates, chasing Portugal for information, and now waiting on TNT to deliver the goods. A true Virgo, I like to be organised, and had started work on the new range months ago, but my attempts have been thwarted at every turn. The danger with no time between the samples arriving and the shoot itself means if they are not quite right there is nothing we can do.
Fortunately Rachel Spivey our photographer seems very organised, and judging by the shots on her online portfolio a great eye as well.
So another delaying tactic from the accounts at the moment is to keep checking the TNT site for delivery updates...........
Ok - I'll get on with the accounts, but I might just check the weather forecast first!

The Last Show of 2010

Image by michaelallroy via Flickr

We have our last Christmas show this Friday - which is a big relief as they are such hard work. You have the day before sorting out the stock, signs etc, and then the show itself, followed by another day putting the stock away, adjusting the stock, and doing the banking. Also the day job still needs tackling - so after a month with no time off, the thought of a show free weekend seems very luxurious.
I do feel that we have had a more successful show season this year than last year. Obviously we were only just setting up last year, but monetary wise we have done better this year, although emerging from the recession may be a large part in this.  I am pleased to say that we did learn from the mistakes we made a year ago. Finding the right environment to sell your product in is critical - a big clue last year was the number of times customers said, "we are surprised to see you here?". Often it was a very local craft fair and our not so crafty luxury items stood out a mile.
Snobby as it sounds, when selling table linen for fine dining,if the visitors to the fair are donning tracksuits, and want free samples, you know you are onto a loser before you start.
The other big difference is our mix has evolved - whereas a year ago we sold just the textiles, this time our wider range of pick up gifts have been the solution to a lot of customers present buying dilemma's.
Hearing customers say - this is the nicest stand here - (that was at the NEC!), was also a huge boost, as you feel you must be getting something right.
So we now are looking forward to 2010 - and revisiting our marketing plan. What worked, didn't work, which shows shall we do again, and which were frankly a waste of time. It is at times like this, I wish I had a crystal ball - knowing which ads will work, and which are a con, which shows will have a good footfall of the RIGHT type of customers. But as I said at the beginning, I am pleased that we have learnt from our mistakes, we are evolving, and feel that we are in an even stronger position to tackle 2010. Bring it on!

The Christmas Build Up

You know Christmas is near when you start to hear those festive songs on the radio - I have to admit I am a sucker for the old Phil Spector tunes - I have a special Christmas mix on my ipod, that gets played over and over in the weeks pre Crimbo.
In my old days in retail, we used to get a new "tape" once a month, (I did say old days - for those younger readers it was like a CD, but sometimes it snapped and we were back to the previous months offering!). We used to look forward to our new tunes every month - but by the end of the month hearing the same 12 tunes every hour would cause the sanest person to grit their teeth.
Having just spent a week at The Good Food show I thought I would feel more Christmassy - but I think because it is such a large space you lose the intimacy and Christmas Spirit that you get at smaller markets - hence I'm actually looking forward to the Moreton On the Marsh Christmas Fair this Saturday. They are switching on their lights, and there will be mulled wine and Christmas gifts aplenty!
It has been great to get an instant reaction from all our leafleting at the Good Food Show last week - and we have already had a few follow up orders.
Alongside the Christmas build up we are also busy working on our new print range - which we are very excited about. Personally I love prints - they are a great way to inject life into any space. One of the designs has a real 50's / Lucienne Day feel, which I think makes a refreshing change from a market currently swamped with Cath Kidston florals.
As always though, getting the samples in time is causing a few sleepless nights - as it appears all retailers are placing repeat orders, and a smaller company like Ochre And Ocre can get bumped to the back of the queue. Not knowing if / when the samples are arriving also makes booking locations / photographers difficult... but as my friends keep telling me, "if it was easy, everyone would be doing it!".
I'll leave you with a few pics of our stand at the NEC - we had so many favourable comments about our display from customers, it was lovely to hear.