This ad will be closed automatically in X seconds.

Survival tips from Richard Dare’s Fatima

In the last few days of Christmas trade, there is some good advice from Excellence in Housewares Awards’ Retail Employee Finalist Fatima Ait-Hammou, manager at Richard Dare, North London. The shop (along with sibling store, Prep in Stoke Newington) is the Bira Cookshop & Housewares Retailer of the Year. Fatima also reveals her priority for 2020.

What is your best advice for coping with the busy festive sales period?

“I would say the main advice to cope without stress in this busy time is to first have a store perfectly visually merchandised and an organised stockroom so members of staff can easily find a product and then can serve quickly customers that know what they want. Having a few little breaks during the shifts help us to be more relaxed. And we drink a lot of tea!

Above: Beautifully merchandised: Christmas gifts at Richard Dare.
Above: Beautifully merchandised: Christmas gifts at Richard Dare.

We always have some key products for the people that don’t know what to buy (such as candles and a selection of tea) and we also offer to wrap the Christmas present and the customers really love it.”

 

What’s going to be important for your business in 2020?

“Next year we will introduce some new exciting products that we found with Holly [owner of Richard Dare and Prep] at Maison&Objet in September. Most of our customers live in the area so it is important to always have new lines in. And hopefully a website.”

 

Top: Fatima Ait-Hammou with Richard Dare’s owner Holly Wilson, pictured at the Excellence in Housewares Awards.

MORE NEWS
MadMarchMillion
 
With a few days still left to go of March, team PH has reached 1,144,452 steps in support of industry charity, The Rainy Day Trust....
Blaise 2
 
Blaise International is introducing Kleine Wolke, a renowned European brand with a rich heritage in producing bathroom textiles since 1968....
Inspired Home Show 2024
 
A new show layout and strong exhibitor and retailer participation at the show, resulted in enhanced discovery, connections and commerce....
Cureatology MADE
 
Following its launch into Heal's earlier this month, new tableware brand, Cureatology has made its debut on MADE.com....
Keeeper
 
The keeeper Group is the latest housewares company to join BHETA. ...
BIRA x Retra
 
BIRA has announced the merger of Retra, the Radio, Electrical and Television Retailers' Association, marking a milestone in their histories....
Get the latest news sent to your inbox
Subscribe to our daily newsletter

The list doesn't exist! Make sure you have imported the list on the 'Manage List Forms' page.