This year, it has been wonderful to see and hear about how the bridal community has come together in these testing times. With so many new challenges having been thrown at bridal retailers in 2020, they share with us their takings from this year and how there is always something to learn even from the most challenging circumstances.

We’ve all had to do things a little differently this year. What is one thing have you learnt from 2020 that you will take with you into a post-covid world?

Bromley Brides
The one thing I have learnt from 2020, is to expect the unexpected! But equally, to trust your gut instinct. Sometimes, by taking that risk as a business, it can reap rewards. Despite the year we have had we decided to press ahead with our Wonder Room launch and treat it as business as usual, while of course adhering to the safety guidelines. We are not ones for sitting on our laurels, we like to stay innovative.
The lockdown periods this year actually provided us with some much-needed time to concentrate on our online presence. Through digital marketing and PR, we grew our Instagram audience substantially and because we were not swept off our feet with customers in the boutique, we were able to strategize and create plans more effectively.
We also updated our website and introduced our new online diary system through the software Bridal Live, which is successfully serving multiple streams for the business and ensures we can operate our sales completely paperless.

Carol’s Bridal Boutique
I have learnt to make changes quickly and not worry about making them! Adapting to fit the new situation and find new ways of working is vital, I have adapted to working online much more and keep engaged. I am now much more streamlined, operating and communicating differently with our customers and suppliers. I have learnt to buy from my suppliers in a much more time/cost effective way, although I have to say I have missed the physical social networking! We will continue to operate the boutique on a locked door policy, this has reduced the time wasters allowing my staff to be much more productive with their day. We have increased our social media presence massively and will keep improving this as we continue to grow.

Dotty Bridal
We have learnt to expect the unexpected! To never let anything effect your mood and try to remain positive throughout no matter what hurdle is thrown at you. Positivity breads positivity and you are the boss of your business. Never compare yourself to others, you do you!