Gift Focus inc Attire Accessories - Page number 29 - July/August 2021

MOSNEY MILL T: +44 (0)1772 822 525 www.mosneymilltrade.com Seed Cards are proving very popular as retailers appreciate the concept behind the product as it is more than a card and is eco-friendly. Our textiles and ceramic ranges all sell well and we receive many repeat orders for these. Have any styles taken you by surprise with their popularity? Our Bee ranges, inspired by our own wildlife meadow here at Mosney, are always popular and we have seen the same positive response to our new Hare and Wildflower Meadow products. This season we have also seen our quintessentially British Blue Tit and Blossom range featured in a number of magazines. How do you keep your designs fresh and current? Do you follow trends? I draw what I see from my studio window but also take account of current colour palettes that complement the ranges we already have in production. What sets you apart from your competitors? Our textiles and ceramics are manufactured by established UK manufacturers who we work closely with. In this way we can offer great quality and support the UK economy. We know the names of many of the people who make our products and that is very important to us. How are you finding the current climate in the UK? Is it affecting business? The past year has definitely had its challenges but we have learnt to adapt by revising our websites, entering into the world of virtual trade shows, establishing and maintaining the personal relationships we have with many of our retailers. How do you view the future of independent retail post-pandemic? I would hope that customers return to independent retailers after lockdown. They curate their gift offering and are able to share the story behind UK manufactured products, which I feel is an important factor in the current climate. Are you active on social media? How is this important for the business? We use social media to communicate with our customers sharing details of new ranges, product development and news from life on Mosney. It is important as we gain valuable feedback from our customers and it provides a further shopfront for our products. Do you have any advice for new businesses starting out in the world of gifts? Ensure that you know your product offering and that there is a story that you are telling through your products. Establish and keep your social media up to date to reinforce this. What can we expect in the future from the company? Mosney Mill continues to develop a range of products to enhance our existing ranges. We have recently expanded our very popular seed card range and will be supplementing this with a new range of stationery products later this year. 29 COMPANY PROFILE