77 RETAILER INTERVIEW What craft or new trend are you currently excited about? We’ve ordered all our spring ranges in for cardmaking and home décor projects and can’t wait to teach new workshops with them over the coming months. Do you visit any trade shows? I like to visit CHSI Stitches, although they don’t have much paper craft or beads now, we still find it a good networking event and to meet some of our suppliers. Are you active on social media? How is this useful for business? Yes, we use social media to share information with customers and some communicate with us this way too, it’s good as multiple members of our team can be admin and reply to messages as needed. Do you have any plans for the future of the store? We’re becoming a stockist of Frenchic Paint! We’re very excited to offer this and hopefully we can add some classes to our programme. Does the company participate in any charity work? Yes, this is a huge part of what we do, our main charity is Sue Ryder and we run craft events and sales for them. One of our team is organising a larger craft event for the men’s mental health charity, Andy Mans Club, in March which we’re excited for. Alongside this we’re involved with the local community, local schools, the poppy appeal and knitting for charities too. Do you have any tips for people looking to start their own retail venture? Expect to work hard. Having a passion for crafts will help keep your enthusiasm there for your customers and team. What’s the one product you couldn’t live without? My paper cutter – essential for crafting and household tasks too! Riverside Crafts and Beads 83 High Street, Market Deeping Peterborough, PE6 8ED https://riversidecrafts.co.uk
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