Libby Holden, owner of Lovely Libby’s in Rayleigh says that, despite the cost of living crisis, December is seeing the festive season arrive with a bang!
“We are definitely in the midst of Christmas madness. Contrary to what we predicted, it seems that customers have concentrated the bulk of their shopping in late November and December as opposed to spreading the cost in light of the cost of living crisis. We were quite worried when November began and there was a severe lack of festive feeling around. Customers were constantly telling us Christmas was the last thing they wanted to think about, but it was obviously all we could think about!
I think the weather has definitely played its part in shaping shopping habits this year. With the late summer, we almost jumped to winter overnight, and there seemed no time for any transition into the Christmas build-up. It seems to have literally dawned on customers in the blink of an eye, which explains the sudden surge in spending in late November and December. The concentrated spending has result in a higher average spend for us. Whereas in previous years customers have come in and bought bits here and there, we are finding that they’re now coming in with lists of what to buy and who to buy for. This has had a positive outcome for small independents like us. Customers seem to be overwhelmed with how quickly Christmas has come about. We are known for devoting time to each individual shopper, ultimately giving them a personalised shopping service which you don’t get in a big chain store. This, combined with our free gift wrapping, had definitely pulled in stressed-out shoppers to shop local and support the high street.
We have also held our usual late night shopping evenings, offering free fizz and mince pies as a little thank you to those choosing to shop local. Not only do these events help to create a real buzz and sense of community around the shop, it also gives people who find it hard to get to us during working hours the opportunity to come and buy with us. Both have definitely contributed to helping us get as many people through the door as possible.
We’re not sure what 2024 will bring, but we know that now, more than ever, we will focus on buying the right products at the right price, continuing to fly the flag for small independents and to injecting life into the high street.”
Top: Lovely Libby’s festive windows.
