Gift Focus inc Attire Accessories - Page number 84 - July/August 2021

84 soft toys – it’s a well known brand and it always has new products. Soaps and handcreams come from The English Soap Company; they smell gorgeous and have beautiful Kew Gardens illustrations on the packaging. We have our own branded candles and reed diffusers, which are all made of totally natural products and recyclable packaging. What are your plans to develop your online presence? We will continue to promote the business online with our social media. Our website was launched in May 2020 so we are building our online customer base through newsletters, collaborations with suppliers and online fairs. We are working on our SEO and have a member of staff who is dedicated to working the website and social media. Do you undertake any charitable initiatives? If so, what? We support local schools and charities including the homeless and a domestic abuse charity. We offer gift vouchers and products to help fundraise and give away products that can help with mental health. Do you attend any trade shows and if so, which ones and why? We attend Spring and Autumn Fair at the NEC and Top Drawer in Spring and Autumn. Are you looking to open more stores across the UK? Yes, we would like to open more shops in London within the next 18 months. What has been your standout moment since opening the store, and why? We have been voted in the Top 6 Best Gift Shops within the M25 every year for the last eight years and we won the Best Gift Shop within the M25 last year – 2020. We also won the Best Shop in Streatham award. How has coronavirus affected your store/ in what ways are you positive about the future of independent retail? Like all independent retail shops, we were closed for large chunks of 2020 and for the beginning of 2021. We are positive about the future of local shops and hope customers continue to support us and other local independents. We have all had a taste of what it is like not to have a local high street during the COVID-19 pandemic so we are all keen to support each other. What advice would you give other retailers? Think smart – analyse sales, order minimums and really look after your customers by offering the best possible service. What are your plans for the future? We will expand The Indigo Tree with more branches and look forward to a bright future. THE INDIGO TREE T: +44 (0)208 769 8117 www.theindigotree.com