This month PGBuzz joins South West card agent, Rosie Trow as she plays the odds in the business of selling cards
It occurred to me the other day in this business that every day is a gamble – for my principals, retailers and myself. I park my car (generally in a one hour limit space), load my trolley with samples for the appointment ahead and have a good ganders to see if I can spot the pesky traffic warden, and away I go to the awaiting customer.
Whereas my biggest gamble is parking for longer than the time allows, when I visit the customer they take a gamble in the creativity of what my principals have produced. And the principals believe that the odds are that everyone will want whatever we put in front of them! Generally the question is “what’s new?” but there can be no guarantees that what is new will be liked, and sometimes stepping out of a comfort zone needs persuasion.
Each morning when the retailer changes the closed sign to an open one for the day, they have no idea how many people will walk through their door or how many times the till will ring, so in all appointments I see part of my job is to pass on any ideas I have accumulated during my travels. It costs nothing to share ideas or recommendations.
The demographics of the high street have changed since I started 27 years ago, and the retailer now has to positively make the most of what is on offer with the footfall that’s available in each area. I love the fact than many of my customers fell comfortable in sharing their challenges and their gambles with me. I don’t really have a job – it’s a way of life which I love with lovely people, whom over 27 years I’ve shared the highs, the lows and endless cups of coffee.
In this unsettled climate, whether you are an experienced player, a new publishing company climbing up The Ladder Club, a retailer hoping to open a new high street shop, or starting fresh as an agent, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and anyone who has been there will realise it’s not finished yet!
As I prepare to load my trolley and make my way back to my car that has long exceeded its hours parking, the big question is did the gamble pay off?
Contact details: 07831 229876/Rosie.trow@btinternet.com
Pictured at top: Rosie Trow (left) with Lauren Keen, manager of Sentiments in Burnham on Sea
