Retailer Review - Goals & Advice for 2021
The final article in this three part series, we asked eight retailers from across the country to share their goals and resolutions.
Last year was one of the most testing years we have all had to face and we are all hoping that 2021 will be better. Here’s what our eight boutiques are looking to achieve this year.
What are your 2021 goals for your boutique?
Bromley Brides
Our main goals for this new year are to create a modern, fun and ‘Instagrammable’ boutique. Our aim is to create an environment where brides will be able to create long-lasting memories and love their experience, which is why we created The Wonder Room with a prosecco bar. We love to be part of creating so many unforgettable moments of ‘Saying Yes to the Dress’, where brides can take home photographs and share these with their friends and family.
Our other goal is to grow our reputation for outstanding customer service and fashion forward, affordable gowns. To achieve this, the fabulous David Emanuel will be holding private VIP appointments at Bromley Brides throughout 2021.
Carol’s Bridal Boutique
Our goals for 2021 are to make more brides dreams come true and give them the best shopping experience they have ever had! To become more successful and recognised in the industry… and hopefully to win more awards. I want to take on more training programmes for the whole team so that we can expand our knowledge to ensure we stay up to date, focussing specifically on social media and marketing. I want to continue to increase our social media following and increase our presence on our social media platforms. Finally, together with my amazing team I want us to continue to strive to be the best bridal retailer in our area!
Dotty Bridal
Gosh I have so many goals for 2021! I have my mindset for 2021 to be the best year ever for Dotty Bridal and that big things are on the horizon. Launching our new exclusive experience room is going to be a big part of 2021 along with the launch of our newest Nori Ivy collection. The collection is based around the new look Dotty and the photoshoot for the collection is going to be one of the highlights of the year.
Creatiques
By the end of each October, we have normally set out our plans for the following year including all our social media diaries, window displays, designer events, fashion shows and wedding show events. The goal for us to be organised to set the year up right.
London Bride UK
We are VERY excited for 2021, with lots of new and exciting things to look forward to. We hope that 2021 will be the year for all thing’s weddings! Brides-to-be have had time to forward plan and know exactly what they want. We will continue to spread positivity in 2021, not only for ourselves but for our brides and want to continue to encourage hope. We can’t wait to meet and welcome more lovely brides into our London Bride family in the new year.
Pretty White Dress
As a new business we unfortunately have not yet had a normal year of trading. We really want 2021 to be full of dress fittings for weddings and the boutique bustling with joy and excitement. Our 2021 goal is not much different from our original goal which is to give every bride the best experience with us regardless of whether they buy a dress. Obviously, we want as many brides as possible to buy their dress with us so we are working really hard to make sure we have the best selection of fabulous bridal designers. We want 2021 to completely overshadow the stress and negativity of 2020 and to ensure we give all our brides an experience they’ll never forget.
Shade Bridal
There are lots of amazing things in the pipelines for 2021 to help really grow the brand offering. We aim to provide something different for brides who choose to have their experience with Shade Bridal Boutique.
Wedding Belles of 4 Oaks
Our goal is to continue to strengthen our WB brand and social media presence. We plan to add to our existing WB team by recruiting early next year and we have lots of exciting plans to expand our bridal floor space for 2021.
Do you have any advice that you would like to share with other bridal retailers?
Bromley Brides
One piece of advice I would share, is to make sure your website and social media platforms are up to date. It is so important to evolve in this industry, move with the times and ensure your content targets the right brides. Posting stories and videos are often personalised to your brand and can really help your shop stand out amongst the crowd and attract the right customers. We are still working to grow our audience organically and are excited to welcome new customers.
Carol’s Bridal Boutique
Move with the times; don’t stand still for a minute, as you will soon get left behind in today’s world. Make sure you keep up to date and make changes as needed and don’t be afraid to make them. Try to stay positive and passionate in the job you do, your team and brides will admire you for this. Take every opportunity that comes your way, no matter how big or small, you never know where it will take you. Believe in bigger and better, I’m a competitive girl and use this to my advantage.
Creatiques
Our word of advice would be to stay true to who you are. Try to think outside the box and listen to what your brides want, and don’t overspend!
Dotty Bridal
Strive to be the best at everything you do, dream big, have your goals set out, and envisage yourself achieving them. I really believe that with hard work and drive to succeed you can be the best. Also, open yourself to learning new things. I am always learning every day and I love it.
London Bride UK
Our message of positivity to all bridal retailers is "The best is yet to come".
Pretty White Dress
Stay integral to your business and to yourself. It’s so easy to get caught up with what other people are doing and feel you should be doing the same thing. We are all unique and have something different to offer our brides. It is great to be inspired by other boutiques/businesses, but it is more important to focus your energy and attention on your own goals and dreams. What will be right for one person isn’t always the best for another, and the bridal world would be very dull if we were all the same.
Shade Bridal
Reach out to your fellow suppliers, they are the ones who truly know and understand the situation you are in and how you might be feeling. Remember, you are not on your own. Spend time focusing on the positives and how you could improve or change your business. You’re doing a great job, hang on in there, and when this is all over we will all celebrate together… weddings will be epic once again!
Wedding Belles of 4 Oaks
Look after your team, they are the heartbeat of your business. It has been a difficult year for them too, with job uncertainty and having to work in a new and strange environment. We have learnt that everyone has dealt with 2020 in different ways, so be there to talk to them about their concerns and keep staff morale up by any means necessary.
Click to read part one and part two of this article series where the retailers reflect on what they learnt and what positives they were able to take from 2020.
