35 COMPANY PROFILE MAKASI IMPORTS T: +44 (0)1932 910 533 www.makasiimports.co.uk and are constantly investing in brand new product ideas. What sets you apart from your competitors? We supply great quality, distinctive wholesale products at affordable prices, enabling our trade only customers to make a profit. We listen and act on customer feedback. The philosophy of sustainable fair trade is important to us – our products are made by small family businesses from sustainable and recycled materials like bamboo, discarded teak boats, coconut shells and recycled teak roots, eliminating waste, benefiting the environment and helping to support local communities. I maintain close relationships with our manufacturers so that I can personally guarantee the quality and ethical production of our products. We support our Indonesian workers’ local communities by visiting their children’s schools to donate educational materials like stationery, books and computers. What are some stand-out moments since the company launch? We supplied a lot of the furniture and accessories in the latest Paddington in Peru film. How are you finding the current climate in the UK? Is it affecting business? Business has been tough recently, but I am an optimist and keep looking forward and adapting. How do you view the future of independent retail? I worry for the retailers on the high street that are not moving with the times. The shops that keep changing and evolving – such as adding small, well-run cafes into their premises to bring people through the door – are the ones that are doing ok and will survive. Are you active on social media? How is this important for the business? Yes, we try and post at least twice a week to keep customers up to date with what we are doing and with new products coming in etc. Do you have any advice for new businesses starting out in the world of gifts? Hard work and constantly thinking of new ways to get footfall. What can we expect in the future from the company? A much larger product catalogue with lots of new and exciting products.
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