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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
Feather and Twigs is bagging the bra this year by supporting a charity that helps research into breast cancer.
Against Breast Cancer is a charity that funds research into breast cancer and they offer a Bra recycling scheme which takes unwanted or unloved bras through their network of bra banks raising vital funds for pioneering breast cancer research.
