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Retail space sharing isn't new. Large retail stores began subletting a few years ago to reduce retail-estate expenses, and benefit from store-within-a-store branding. We are familiar with department stores like Debenhams, and House of Frazer all of whom have followed this model for a number of years. However, with the recent pandemic and economic challenges many have struggled to maintain this successful business model predominantly due to exceptionally high lease and rates and intense online competition.
So could this concept work better for smaller retail outlets? Well yes, it can. Feather and Twigs including The Secret Closet boutique in Croston Lancashire is a shop share retail concept that follows this concept, it is simple and works beautifully. Feather and Twigs including The Secret Closet offers sustainable gifts, art, crafts and homeware combined with a ladies boutique with items that can't be found through online price comparison shopping. Our bricks and mortar and online concept works well, and as two businesses we split the lease costs, marketing and the staffing time but manage our own stock, accounts and admin. The benefits to the consumer are that they can purchase through one single outlet which offers a unique range of Artisan handcrafted items and sustainable clothing that could take a customer hours to find either searching online or by travelling to a local town or city.
However, we do recognise that being located in a village location has its marketing challenges. We don't have a high passing trade and therefore we need to constantly market ourselves to the wider community, introduce new products weekly and consistently showcase our products through social channels so regular consumers are aware of what is new.
Our residents have a reasonable disposable income and are loyal to their local independent shops, however, they also demand choice, exceptional quality and are also environmentally conscious preferring not to travel miles in their car for personal gifts or a new outfit for the weekend. Its definitely a win-win for both businesses and residents.
To visit The Secret Closet - www.thesecretcloset.co.uk
Making Local our First port of Call
There is something special about living in a community where you can walk down the street and find independent shops, cafés and businesses run by people you know.
They bring character to our villages and towns. They create jobs, support local events, champion other small businesses and give our high streets an identity that simply cannot be replicated online or by large national chains.
But if we want ...
There are times when running an independent business feels busy, and then there are times when everything seems to happen at once.
At Feather & Twigs, we are currently very much in the latter.
On any normal day, there is already plenty happening behind the scenes. We have our existing shop to run, customers to look after, deliveries arriving, stock to unpack and displays to refresh. Alongside that ...
At Feather & Twigs, we’ve always believed that a good gift should feel as lovely to give as it does to receive.
Over recent years, we’ve noticed a change in the way people choose gifts. It’s becoming less about simply finding something and more about finding the right thing.
We want to know who made it. Where it came from. What it’s made from. Whether it will be used and enjoyed. And increasingly, whether buying it supports the s...
