Amanda Alexander of independent retailer, Giddy Goat Toys shares how setting up a small online presence pre-pandemic turned out to be a business saver.
An independent toy retailer retailer has been sharing how a decision to establish a small online presence back in 2019 pre-pandemic turned out to be a business saver.
Amanda Alexander, who is the founder of Giddy Goat Toys based in Didsbury, joined DownYourHighStreet.com in April 2019, originally considering the sales notched up from the online marketplace to be a nice little extra.
However, when the first lockdown hit a year ago and Amanda – like thousands of other indie toy retailers – was forced to close her store, the investment in the platform began to pay dividends.
“Our sales started to hit £4,000-£5,000 per month – all direct from DownYourHighStreet.com,” Amanda commented. “We were rushed off our feet – and utterly thrilled. We went from worrying that the business may have to close, to having our best month ever.”
Local customers in Didsbury were able to use click and collect, while those further afield were able to support an independently owned store which offered delivery direct to their door.
“The feedback we got from DYHS customers reflected that they liked being able to buy off an independent business,” continued Amanda. “In particular they loved that they could actually speak to me via the phone if they needed advice, or receive an email response to any stock or delivery queries quickly. Many commented how lovely it was to buy online from a friendly helpful person rather than a large faceless organisation that they could never get through to.
“DownYourHighStreet saved my business. The online sales via the site generated enough to cover the revenue we lost when we had to close the shop for lockdown. Funnily enough it’s also meant I had to recruit extra people to help out once we re-opened after the first lockdown as we had to run both a shop and an online business.
“Thanks to the flexible furlough scheme I hope that we will be able to keep all our staff on going forwards as we continue to serve both local people and deliver to our online customers, too.”
Speaking to PreschoolNews.net about the re-opening of non essential retail on 12 April, Amanda said that it’s “very disappointing” to be missing out on Easter sales and “to have been closed for what will be over seven months out of the last 12. Fortunately I’m online so I do have sales coming in, but essentially we have missed out on thousands and thousands of pounds in lost shop sales.”
When it comes to top sellers in the preschool category, Amanda highlighted Le Toy Van’s range of wooden vehicles and play food, as well as Orange Tree Toys Peter Rabbit range, Galt Toys’ basic craft items such as finger paints and crayons, and Tonies.
She added: “Most suppliers have been amazing so I’d like to say a big thank you to the reps and the companies that have helped me and the other indie toy shops through this – the words of support and encouragement have really helped. I’m grateful to be part of such a supportive industry.”
Dan Whytock, founder of DownYourHighStreet.com, believes that the omni-channel approach will help keep high streets alive.
He commented: “Working with indie retailers like Amanda is what we love doing. Since the start of the first lockdown we’ve signed up over 200 independent retailers to the platform and helped to save many of them from having to close permanently – which would be a disaster for our High Streets.”
