What would your number one takeaway from 2023 be for bridal retailers?

Maria Musgrove-Wethey: Brides have changed and we need to constantly change and evolve. Gone are the days of a bride buying first time and zero contact from her until you inform her that her dress has arrived. Now it’s radio silence from her (for what seems an eternity) until she decides it’s time to buy and then she demands updates on delivery date, details on underwear, shoes, bust cups etc on a regular basis. Unless we’re an outlet where we can “flog it and forget it” we need to create a luxury retail experience which means that staff need to be trained to anticipate needs, offer expert advice and make brides feel genuinely valued.

Megan Garmers: TikTok and Instagram are not going anywhere. Take the time to get familiar with the platforms and don’t worry about putting time and energy into something that might change in the future. Everything changes in the future. Don’t stay on the sidelines and get left behind along the way.

Jo Stott: To appreciate and recognise that your consumer needs change frequently, and you as business need to change to keep up! Be aware of, ‘trending needs’ by the generations you sell to, which I have to say are extraordinary right now…. Ensure you deliver as a business, or you may become just another bridal shop and none of us want that!

Christine Skilton: My number one takeaway for 2023 for bridal retailers is to make every bride count to achieve your sales goals and upsell when you have the opportunity.

Diana McMann: I have loved seeing so many bridal retailers embrace their lack of confidence at being online and actually get visible!  Shying away from social media is not something we can do if we want our businesses to survive so seeing retailers step out of their comfort zone, talking to camera, or just committing time to plan and create content has been a huge highlight for me.  It really shows what passionate individuals we have in the bridal industry.

Anna Hare: Manage your cash flow carefully and don’t overspend when the money is rolling in. I have seen this happen with many stores over the years, it is so important to set your budgets carefully and to plan ahead ensuring you keep some money back for the leaner winter months where the brides are few and far between.

What has been your industry highlight this year?

Maria Musgrove-Wethey: At Harrogate, I loved the special ’Feels Like Home’ wall that honoured Bridal Week’s 40 years of rich history where boutiques were encouraged to contribute their favourite memories. Here’s to the next 40!

Megan Garmers: I’ve loved seeing how retailers are trying their hand at TikToks and Reels and getting out of their comfort zones to connect with brides. It can be extremely uncomfortable and stressful to do something so new and foreign but doing it scared is so empowering!

Jo Stott: Wow this year has been a mix for me! Here are my top three highlights: 
•    My personal highlight was recognising to always keep in your own lane, making sure it is bright, full of love with an abundance of your authentic sparkle! 
•    I have watched some stores struggle this year in all levels of business. So helping through coaching and training to ignite the fire in them again to see a positive future has been a highlight.  Watching these people believe in themselves again is such a joy!  
•    AND I have to say performing celebrant led wedding ceremonies across our UK is beyond special! This business leads the way in the wedding industry with the changing laws and changing needs of our brides…. Firstly, I can understand first hand why our brides make the decisions they make in all their wedding planning. Secondly, I sit front row in the love stories or these incredible people we call ‘our clients’.

Christine Skilton: For me, helping other retailers to build and grow in their business and creating my business planner specifically for bridal retailers.

Diana McMann: Bridal Week Harrogate September was a big highlight. The feeling around the whole show was super positive. We all needed that uplift and the show and designers delivered! I loved hosting the advice clinics to understand and help other retailers up their marketing game. We’ve formed some lovely relationships post the sessions and show, where we as retailers can continue to support eachother.

Anna Hare: A personal highlight was moving into our incredible new showroom in March, I love it! But an industry highlight would be winning our regional TWIA award for Best Bridal Retailer. Having been in business for so many years it sometimes gets harder to stand out from the crowd and so to be recognised by our brides for our focus on delivery an exceptional experience for them makes all the hard work worthwhile. 

I also loved attending the RBA Awards in September and representing Milla Nova when they collected their Best New Bridal Designer award, they are such an inspirational company and brand and I’m so excited for what the future holds in store for them.

What would your biggest piece of advice be for retailers going into 2024?

Maria Musgrove-Wethey: According to Deloitte Insights Millennials are living with economic uncertainty so many are postponing big life decisions including starting relationships (and ending relationships!) and getting married. So sadly those boom years we expected after Covid simply aren’t happening. So the advice is to be ruthless on ROI (Return on Investment) and analyse what is and isn’t working on your rails. Whether it be just one dress or a whole collection that is culled you simply can’t afford to have anything in your boutique that isn’t paying its way.

Megan Garmers: Plan your work and work your plan. The year will get away from you and if you don’t have a plan for your business, marketing, social media, etc., you will always be playing catch up and feeling frazzled. The plan doesn’t have to work out exactly for it to be helpful. Sometimes having just a direction to work towards helps provide a measuring stick for everything else.

Jo Stott: To appreciate the needs of your consumer and try your hardest to align your beliefs with theirs! You must create an everlasting experience, but that just is not enough moving forward. Have a vision, have a mission, and push it out to all who will listen! 

Christine Skilton: Know your WHY - make sure you spend time developing your business and personal goals and take full accountability for your business success.

Diana McMann: In a world of only showing the ‘good stuff’ and an industry that prides itself on positive vibes, just remember to be kind to yourselves. Whether that’s staying in your own lane and trying not to compare yourself to others (everyone has their own story!), or recognising that it’s ok to get support or ask for help. If you don’t have a business support network, then look at how you can build one. Being able to share stories and bounce ideas off someone else who ‘gets it’ is invaluable.

Anna Hare: Don’t overbuy and don’t take on designers for the sake of it. Many of us have been guilty of this, myself included, but it will only end in you having too many dresses on your rails and likely put pressure on your bank balance. Instead, really look at which labels are driving profit through your till and regardless of how much you may love them, you need to cut the poor performers. 

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