As most of you will know, I own and run a small independent baby shop. We are based just outside of town in a mixed residential and commercial development known as Poundbury.
Like many retailers over the last couple of years I have frowned about people shopping online, not supporting their local shops and then moaning when businesses disappear. But over the last few days in the shop, my faith is being restored.
I have met a couple who needed a baby carrier but needed to try them on (a regular occurrence), a lady who needed a new buggy but wanted advice about Buggy boards, a cutie who needed some new toys but mum wanted to see which he was interested in and a little boy who needed his first pair of shoes (always a pleasure!)
We cannot deny the convenience of the internet. I have come to accept that it has its place and that I would be just as lost without it as the majority of people out there. More than that, I am seeing that the internet could actually help us run our business. It is great for looking at product reviews and gathering information, which may encourage people to come to their local shops. Without it we could not update people about our latest stock arrivals, competitions, new colours etc and we could not get our blog or newsletters seen!
As I have said, we have a website, and it used by lots of our customers to research before visiting the shop. Of course, we do also sell to people who live nowhere near us, and for some people getting to a shop is impossible.
However, my favourite thing about running a baby shop is being on the shop floor. Chatting to customers, meeting pregnant mums who come back with their newborns and tell us their birth stories and moan about lack of sleep! Mums who come back to tell us how much the product we have recommended has helped them/their baby, how they have told all their friends about it. Proud grandparents who bring photos and tell us all about their latest addition to the family. Who then come back to introduce them in person when they are visiting. Demonstrating products to customers who go away, leaving us confident they have the right product to suit them.
So online shopping obviously has its place, but when you can, try to use your local shop. If they are doing something wrong, tell them. If you have seen what you want cheaper somewhere else, give them the chance to price match, or at least explain to you why they can't.
It is this side of the business that reminds me that the internet cannot replace a local shop! Thanks for shopping with us....
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