Design at a Discount

We've been having a warehouse tidy up as well as giving our showroom a spring makeover. Making room means clearing out and we've added some great deals to our online clearance section but there's only ones so be quick! Check out two Carl Hansen chair designs - the Colonial Chair in gorgeous walnut and leather at 25% off and an upholstered CH445 Wingback Chair at a massive 40% off. From Vitra there's a beautiful chocolate leather Repos Chair at 25% off and a range of Metal Side Tables by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec at 20% off. There's 40% off Alessi Limited Edition Crevasse Vases by Zaha Hadid as well as 33% off the Pinch Vase, launched last year. There's also a gorgeous B&B Italia Tufty Too Sofa (ex display) at 34% off and a Knoll Girard Table by Alexander Girard at 24% off and 8 Tom Dixon Slab Chairs at 25% off.  These are just a few of our great deals, many on brand new and unused products but see the Clearance and Sale Section for all our great offers.

We've been having a warehouse tidy up as well as giving our showroom a spring makeover. Making room means clearing out and we've added some great deals to our online clearance section but there's only ones so be quick! Check out two Carl Hansen chair designs - the Colonial Chair in gorgeous walnut and leather at 25% off and an upholstered CH445 Wingback Chair at a massive 40% off. From Vitra there's a beautiful chocolate leather Repos Chair at 25% off and a range of Metal Side Tables by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec at 20% off. There's 40% off Alessi Limited Edition Crevasse Vases by Zaha Hadid as well as 33% off the Pinch Vase, launched last year. There's also a gorgeous B and B Italia Tufty Too Sofa (ex display) at 34% off and a Knoll Girard Table by Alexander Girard at 24% off and 8 Tom Dixon Slab Chairs at 25% off.  These are just a few of our great deals, many on brand new and unused products but see the Clearance and Sale Section for all our great offers.

Sonny Angel

We found Sonny Angel in New York and the first batch arrived in stores last week. They sold out by Friday. Fortunately they're now back in stock and we've added them to our online catalogue too. These lovable Japanese dolls, with their rosy cheeks and wings, come in several 'series'. There are 12 designs in each series to collect. As each box is purchased 'blind' you don't know what Sonny Angel is in the box until you've opened it. Currently in stock are Animal Series 1,2,3 and 4 and the Marine series. The Fruit and Vegetable series make their way to these shores in April. At just £5.99 each these charming dolls make fantastic little gifts. Collect them, swap them, trade them. Bring joy, happiness and good luck with a Sonny Angel. We're all hooked here!

Daniel Wellington Watches

We've just added the Daniel Wellington Watch range to our stable of fantastic watch brands. With their distinctive heritage appeal these gorgeous timepieces are made in two sizes - a larger 40mm diameter for men and a slightly smaller 36mm for ladies. The timeless rose gold case options each come with a 'Natostrap' in a variety of colours - choose from Oxford, Warwick, Glasgow or Cambridge for men in tones of navy blue, green, white and red or Southampton, Canterbury, Trinity or Winchester for ladies in pink, blue, red and lilac tones. We think they're an absolute winner. For a more conservative look the silver case versions feature straps in black or brown leather. All the watches have an elegant off white or 'eggshell' dials with gold markings and hands. Prices start at £125.00

Well Dressed

Launched this spring is the Dressed range of watches from Alessi. Created my Dutch design genius Marcel Wanders this family of watches offers something for everyone - whatever your style. Each watch has the same case and distinctive design running through it - or in this case on the back. Like so many Wanders' designs the true beauty is only revealed on inspection with each dial having a pattern on the reverse - the idea being that only the wearer knows of its presence - a final touch in being dressed for the occasion. Classic masculine proportions give way to fine detailing on the exquisite hour hand. Markings are a combination of contemporary dots or classic numerals with the collection appealing to any colour preference - from cutting edge steel to classic black to vibrant orange and two gold options. Marcel Wanders signature silhouette is shown on each dial.

Keep it Local

With the demise of Jessops and the future of yet another retail stalwart (HMV) hanging in the balance the picture for our high streets looks bleaker than ever. Whilst it would be easy to blame the likes of Amazon and Ebay for providing customers what they want at lesser prices than bricks and mortar (b&m) retailers, traditional retail operators should also look to their own business models and, in particular, the constant need to adapt and change in accordance with customer's demands and expectations to tackle the online onslaught. We're all guilty of supporting Amazon and Ebay, helping their growth to the behemoths we see today but that wouldn't have necessarily happened if b&m retailers had been more competitive in the first place (easy to say I know when pure online operations don't have the rent/rates/staff etc overhead). Competition isn't always measured on price, though. Whilst price is the key governing factor in the decision to purchase, traditional retailers offer one thing which their digital counterparts don't - face to face customer contact and personal service - and with that comes the opportunity to offer an exceptional customer experience and seize a sale. The fact remains that a lot of the larger retailers have failed to adapt to the digital age, resulting in their ultimate downfall.

My own experience this weekend exemplifies this.  I walked into my local HMV to purchase a list of 15 cds for store music (I won't digital download because of the inflexibility of using on various systems, iTunes monopoly and an old fashioned need to have something physical to hold onto). Working my way through the list I managed to find a grand total of zero - zilch, nothing, not one of them. There was nothing particularly obscure on the list - a bit of Stevie Wonder, Camera Obscura, She & Him, The Shins. I tried to ask a member of staff - none available.

We should all reflect. Purchasing online is easy, sometimes cheaper, invariably convenient and can be done in the comfort of our own homes - all great stuff - but  at what price? Your local supplier/ b&m retailer is part of your local economy, brings jobs and careers to the community, animation to the high street and, above all, keeps it local. If we don't support local retailers what will our high streets look like in 10 years? The only commodity you can't buy online is the leisure experience of a cup of coffee or a meal/drink out (there are others I know). Do we really want our streets to merely consists of coffee shops, cafes and restaurants? Whilst these bring their own unique dimension to our shopping experience the tapestry of any street is enriched by a variety of retail offers, without which shopping would be a bland affair.

As an independent retailer we are small enough to be able to adapt to the changing retail scene and react accordingly. We're still growing and opening a further two b&m stores this year - underpinned by our online offer - but we're never complacent or take anything for granted. and work for every sale we achieve. We invest as much time and money in our online offer as we do in our stores. My main message to every b&m retailer and customer is this - before giving in to online, give b&m shops a chance. If you've seen it online cheaper, tell them and show them the website! I'll let you into a secret - invariably big name brands (I won't name them) ask retailers, as part of their trade agreement, to sell at  a recommended retail price (rrp) - especially online where the whole world can compare prices. Brands don't like to see this - they want a fair playing field and it just causes them hassle but how they enforce this is 'difficult'. Whilst price fixing is 'illegal' these brands can make it difficult for retailers to sell at less than rrp, particularly online. They may have little jurisdiction over Amazon etc but they can make it awkward for smaller retailers by making supply 'sticky', saying items are 'out of stock' etc if they don't play ball and sell online at rrp. However, what the retailer does over the phone or instore is entirely up to him - so ask. If you don't ask you don't get - and besides anything else, you're doing your bit for your community and local economy. It's all very well protesting about Amazon, Ebay and the taxes they don't pay but it's up to us all as consumers to vote with our feet and support our local stores, particularly if they deliver so well on service too. They, and we, have our own U.S.P - people - and let's not forget this is a service industry where the brightest will shine if they consistentlygive the best.

Winter Clearance Now On!

Our winter clearance is now well and truly on! Our choice bargain is this Carl Hansen CH 445 Wingback chair, never been out of its box at 30% off in a gorgeous turquoise Divina fabric. We've also got lots of other items from our warehouse which have never been on display such as the De La Espada Walnut Sleepy Chair at 35% off and solid walnut Weekend Chest at 30% off. Check out the Sale Section now! In addition we've also placed all our key brands on seasonal discount. Enjoy 15% off Kartell and Magis an 20% off Vitra to name just a few!