In the second episode of Retail Insights for Spring Fair, iconic fashion designer and podcast host, Jeff Banks, chatted to Maggie Thornton, owner of Alligator Pear in Tadworth, which is known locally as the ‘village department store.’ The gift shop, which is currently celebrating 25 years, employs 12 staff.
In an insightful conversation with Jeff, Maggie talked about the challenges and rewards of running an independent store in a village setting, the importance of adapting product ranges, and how she caters to a broad customer base – from those seeking affordable gifts to high-end shoppers.
She also shared the story behind her shop’s quirky name, (“Alligator Pear means avocado, nothing to do with gifts”), her extensive background in retail, and how her passion for the industry has fuelled her success.
Maggie’s retail journey began with a career at Debenhams, where she started out as a graduate trainee working in buying and management, with her entrepreneurial spirit leading her to create her own retail space, evolving from a small party plan business into the successful award-winning shop Alligator Pear is today. “Retail is in my blood,” she told Jeff. “My husband was in retailing too, as was his father.”
She continued: “Because we are in a village, I need a good product mix. Alligator Pear has got eight rooms, enabling me to separate everything. Currently, for example, there are two rooms dedicated to fashion and fashion accessories, which are doing very well.”
As a seasoned retailer, Maggie discussed how Spring Fair has played a crucial role in her business. She described the excitement of discovering new products and trends each year, and how the show’s tactile experience, which allows her to see and feel products in person, is invaluable for decision-making – something online shopping can’t replicate.
“When we receive Spring Fair’s Little Black Book we tick off which companies we want to go and see,” she confirmed. “And when we go through the doors of the NEC we feel really excited! We’ve cleared our shelves and are ready for the new stock to come in. When we arrive at Spring Fair we get a buzz that you can’t replicate.”
Maggie added that that going to the show helps to identify a common thread there and then when it comes to trends and buying decisions. “I still walk every aisle,” she confirmed. “Last year for example, there was a move to greenery and faux foliage, so we made that the theme in one of our rooms.”
She emphasised the importance of keeping her shop fresh, with frequent re-merchandising to offer customers something new every visit, echoing the department store model that shaped her career.
Maggie also shared her thoughts on the future of retail, predicting a resurgence in social spaces on the high street and the rise of a circular economy, driven by changing consumer behaviour, particularly among younger generations.
Her vision for the future is one of adaptability, where retailers must stay agile to thrive in an ever-evolving market.
Asked by Jeff to sum up Spring Fair in one word, her answer was, “anticipation. It’s what I feel when walk through the doors,” she told him.
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Visit www.springfair.com.
