the better retailing blog
Your greatest gift – imagination
by Nick Shanagher on 5 March, 2010
Ranjan Patel used her first speech as president of London’s Newsagents Federation this week to urge independent shopkeepers to use their imagination to win business from shoppers.
“We can exploit [our shops] by using our greatest gift, our imagination, ensuring the environments we create are interesting and inviting,” she said.
On the street in London a day later I passed by an Italian deli, which was beautifully presented and outside had a little sign encouraging shoppers to book an Italian cookery course, under the headline ‘I love Cooking! Make your own Italian dinner £35′.
Further up the street, was a Mexican restaurant with fresh oranges and limes in boxes by the window…plus a mass of chilis. It was completed by an A-board outside saying that it was the Observer’s best cheap eats in the UK award winner.
In between was a newsagent business with a Camelot national lottery station outside. Inside I was greeted by two signs on its magazine rack. One said: “No browsing.” The other said: “Thieves will be prosecuted.”
Perhaps the owner should take a short walk up and down his own street and think about what he is doing to make his store a destination for shoppers. He may have some problem customers but there must be an alternative to making your shop feel like a fortress.
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Comments (1)
IMPROVE YOUR APPEARANCE.
THE NEWSAGENTS DON NOT PORTRAY THE BEST APPEARANCE IN THE RETAIL MARKET. As one retail expert said , Cross over the road and look at your shop and ask yourself “Would you like to visit that shop” It is an acid test and I wonder how many Newsagents would be true to themselves and say “yes”.
Whether we like it or not multiples like Tesco and Sainsbury pride themselves on presentations and up-date their shops every few years. How many Newsagents do that.
I have seen some Newagents and I wonder if he is open. Their windows are covered with small notices, posters lost cats and everything under the planet and you can hardly see the shop. I went to one shop in north London and could not find the door. The windows should act as an adverisement for your shop so that the customers feels compelled to come in.
I am sorry if this sounds bit blunt but it is honest and constructive suggestion to ” Improve your Appearance and improve your profits”