Pri-mania as giant budget store opens
DAVINA KAUR ON HOW IT TURNED HER FIRM AROUND
THE FASHION STORE
DAVINA Kaur, 22 years in the clothing business, opened Amaze Clothing on Wednesfield High Street four years ago.
The 46-year-old mother of two said: “When I had the chance to join Retail Revival I thought what can I lose? The high street here is on its last legs and it is a struggle to get people to come in. It can be a lonely business as well and difficult to keep thinking of new ways to attract customers.”
She met digital experts from eBay and they helped her to create a website, Classic Clothing, which focused on selling eye-catching accessories such as handbags, streamlining the business’s fashion range, and cashing in on current trends.
Davina said of the impact the website had: “Christmas was the turning point and we had a massive demand for Christmas jumpers, which saved us.
“Without those online sales, we would have had to close the shop.
“If it wasn’t for eBay, we would have been another high street statistic. But now there’s light at the end of the tunnel.”
THE PET SHOP THE PHONE SHOP
STEVEN Athwal gave his online business, pre-owned handset seller The Big Phone Store, a high street presence a year ago.
He had found web shoppers were wary of the quality of secondhand devices – and also brought in mature staff to help older buyers alongside a younger team for gadget geeks.
Steven, 47, said: “We’re a perfect example of how online and the high street can work together.”
THE KEY MAKER
IAN Dixon and son Mike set up HugglePets seven years ago.
Since signing up to Retail Revival six months ago, sales are up 22%.
They had help with listings, marketing and online ads. And eBay’s click-and-collect partnership with Sainsbury’s and Argos means locals can buy goods online and pick them up at the supermarket.
Mike, 38, said: “In the current environment, independent high street stores have to be online.” Steven’s store SUPPLY Hut is an offshoot of a 138-year-old key-making firm, Arthur Hough and Sons, which moved to its site on Cannock Road two years ago.
Co-owner Richard Evans said: “The industry is in a demise for several reasons, from cheap imports to keyless cars. The time had come to raise our profile. Since going online we have learned a lot about which words to use for products, and how to get products at the top of the listings.
“We are positive about the future.” LAUNCH Primark yesterday THOUSANDS of shoppers descended on Birmingham for the launch of the world’s biggest Primark.
The queue outside built up before dawn yesterday at the huge, city centre budget fashion store.
Around 5,000 people swarmed in – some from as far away as Sunderland and Cardiff.
The “chaotic” scenes were not helped when a power cut plunged the store into darkness for five minutes.
The five-storey shop, where the old Pavilions centre once stood, employs 1,000-plus people and is the biggest of 365 Primarks in Europe and the US.
Shopper John Jameson, 39, of Wolverhampton, said: “It’s complete madness.”
If it wasn’t for this, we would be just another high street statistic