Following the recent warm sunny weather – which included a record breaking May Bank Holiday weekend (remember that?!) – retailers, including card indies, saw sales soar.
In Port Erin on the Isle of Man, Chris Beards, owner of gift and card shop Mantons, said that the exceptional weather on Bank Holiday Sunday and Monday resulted in an increased average spend and conversion rate, with a higher percentage of customers happy to shop. “People were definitely treating themselves and we also did very well with gifts for christenings and weddings,” confirmed Chris.
For Jane Apps, co-owner of Paper Turtle in Lewes, East Sussex, the sunshine brings out the tourists. “Lewes is an all year round tourist destination, but the summer months are great for increased footfall. We find that the average spend by a visitor is much higher as they do tend to stock up. Feedback from visitors is always inspiring too, as it is immediate and to the point. They offer opinions on range and choice freely as it’s all new to them!”
Tourists are also important for business at Paper Moon in Sidmouth with co-owner Jo Johnstone clocking an increase in footfall over the Bank Holiday weekend. “We always know when there are visitors about as we seem to sell a few more Sidmouth-themed items, like tea towels and mugs. We have also seen an increase in our regular ‘once or twice a year’ customers. These are regular visitors to Sidmouth who bring great long lists of the cards they need for the next six to 12 months and buy them all from us. They say they don’t have a shop like ours near them and we offer them everything they need, so that’s fab!”
Julie Donabie of My Favourite Things in Wimbledon, London has decked her window and shop out in summery colours to entice people in. “Because it’s been so nice I have bought forward my summer display and already have a big cut out of a sun in the window along with artificial grass and sunflowers. The shop is always busy and I plan my displays so that I have complementary items close together – like the Jellycat llama and Stripey Cats’ llama card.”
