Stafford Forum Local Business Pie Club

[Jade-clothing]

I think its a brilliant idea and I'm definitely in, as I am sure my partner will be too. I really want to get something off the ground, I think its really important for local businesses to stick together

 

[John Marwood]

Curious as to why anyone would think about opening a shop in a second tier town due a host of public sector sackings

Have you other shops open elsewhere that prove you have a winning formula? Did you negotiate an amazing deal on the rental?Do you have a unique product or a supply chain at amazingly low price purchase? How else will you advertise your premises?

I wish you well with your new venture

ps charidee fashion shows sometimes get you in the media should you feel the urge

 

[Jade-clothing]

I dont have other shops - Yet! But we will.
I have been selling ladies clothing for years online, and self employed selling second hand items of one sort or another for 16 years.
Yes we negotiated an absolutely amazing deal on the rental!
and Yes we have a unique product in that we sell the clothing on an agency basis, and yes they are second hand clothes but they are all in like new condition and we will be selling them in a classy boutique atmosphere.
I guess you could say our supply is at a low price given that 75% of the stock is given to us to sell for the clients.
I have lots of contacts, lots of enthusiasm, lots of ideas and an excellent business brain so arent anticipating a problem with advertising ideas!
Lastly I already have a charity fashion show in hand.
Oh yes and another unique selling point we have is that we give a percentage of our profits to St.Johns ambulance charity, so I think we have a pretty good idea and between us over 30 years experience in retail. So, thanks very much for your best wishes - I am absolutely positive we will succeed.

 

[John Marwood]

Well that certainly told me....have a point

 

[cookie_monster]

Yes we have a unique product in that we sell the clothing on an agency basis, and yes they are second hand clothes but they are all in like new condition and we will be selling them in a classy boutique atmosphere.

when you say an agency basis jade....do you mean for specifically occasion wear?


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[Jade-clothing]

ah thanks for taking it in the way it was intended - as in, defending my business and not assuming I'm an overbearing know it all - having just re-read my message myself!
We don't only sell occassion wear. anyone who knows the shop will know it is in two distinct halves so it lends itself really well to selling the bridal, evening, prom dresses on the one side and everyday wear on the other side. We will be sticking to really, nice quality pieces - although not exclusively designer - being a high street clothing fan myself I didnt want to exclude anything as long as its in fab condition ( although we wont be selling supermarket clothing or Primark in the shop - not because I'm a snob - I'm not - but because its so cheap new and in any case we sell this quite well online to people overseas). Anything I take in that isnt quite right for the shop I will send on my existing store on ebay.

 

[tek-monkey]

When you say an agency basis, do you mean people give you the clothes then you get a cut of what they sell for? If so, any chance of knowing what sort of cut? I know someone with very similar stock, also an ebay seller, who may be interested in what you are doing.

 

[ToriRat]

Used to have a similar setup at the thrift shop on the army base , people donated their clothing and if it sold within 6 weeks they got 30% of the sale price, 10% went to a local charity. However if it took longer that 6 weeks to sell you got nada and the shop took the 30%. I uded to adore it in there

 

[cookie_monster]

hmmmm, this sounds great.

im based in sheffield now, but i will be home next week for a visit so ill do my best to pop in and say hullo if youll be open.

ill send you a pm with my reasons as to why


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[Jade-clothing]

Tek-monkey - we sell everyday wear for a 50% cut of what the sale price is and bridal and evening wear for a 40% cut of the sale price.
Cookie monster - would be great to see you

 

[tek-monkey]

I'm assuming you set the sale price?

 

[Jade-clothing]

I talk about prices with the clients to see if what they would like for their items is achievable, some people ask me to set the prices, others have a set amount they would like to achieve - which I am happy to try for, as I always say we can always reduce at a later date

 

[tek-monkey]

Cool, thanks for letting me know

 

[Jade-clothing]

You're welcome
What kind of thing does your friend sell?

 

[MyCult]

I have a business and was once 'local' I would like to attend if I can make it (live far away now but visit regularly).

I'm doing some work with Stafford based business's at the moment so the opportunity to meet more of them would be good

 

[Jade-clothing]

You'd be very welcome mycult.
So, how many of us are actually up for doing this - not just talk about it!
As I said before I'm talking about a genuine supprt group for each other, advice, helping each other out, discounts and starting some sort of awareness campaign to get local people to support local businesses.
How many of you have heard of, or went to the meeting at the hospital this week advertised on the Stafford Direct site - 'Talk about local' - very interesting. Lots of people want to get Stafford connected.

 

[cookie_monster]

if im honest, due to location, i think im going to have to bow out.....but im more than happy to be an occassional contributor when i think i can help.

much the same as my activity on here i think!


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[Jade-clothing]

cookie - online help is perfectly acceptable

 

[tek-monkey]

You're welcome
What kind of thing does your friend sell?

Mainly bridal and prom dresses. She sells a lot of second hand, but also new brides dresses and has quite a few made to order for people.

 

[Rikki]

You'd be very welcome mycult.
So, how many of us are actually up for doing this - not just talk about it!
As I said before I'm talking about a genuine supprt group for each other, advice, helping each other out, discounts and starting some sort of awareness campaign to get local people to support local businesses.
How many of you have heard of, or went to the meeting at the hospital this week advertised on the Stafford Direct site - 'Talk about local' - very interesting. Lots of people want to get Stafford connected.

If you get something organised let me know and I'll come along. I'm a local self employed plumber btw.