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» Listings for 2009Posted on Monday Sep 7 0:00:00 BST 2009 Scary though it is there are just over 100 days until Christmas… Which, to most people is a long way off, but to a Gift and Card Shop it means the busiest time of the year is just around the corner! Having said that Christmas feels like an all year round event as I had to place orders for Christmas Cards in Feb of this year and all stocks will start being delivered into me within the next week or so Once here they all need sorting, pricing up, adding to the website and then at some reasonable time, when I won’t offend customers by putting them out too early, they need displaying in the shop. I’m really looking forward to this Christmas, now I am more established in the community and have a lot more suppliers it should be lots of fun! (ho ho ho) Claire x Posted on Thursday Aug 13 0:00:00 BST 2009 It's been a funny couple of weeks in the world of Serendipity
Last week we found out about the proposed plans to build a very large Tesco's superstore in Padiham where we are based. So far talking to my customers I haven't heard anyone praise or say anything good about Tesco, I think a lot of people are getting fed up with their dominance of the retail world.
Whilst I am concerned for my business as they will sell cards and little gifty items im not overly concerned as I believe I off a far greater selection that is more specialist with a good selection of price points etc topped off with good customer service and the added bonuses of a complimentary gift wrapping service.
I am though very concerned for the likes of the local florists, butchers, greengrocers etc who could easily see the demise of their business if this store gets the go ahead.
It is still early days yet with regards the plans, and we are not just going to sit back and let this happen without a fight - I will keep you posted!
On Monday night I attended a meeting at Burnley Town Hall, this was in a bid to try and persuade the "powers that be" to not remove the daytime parking from outside my block of shops. One of the key features for me choosing the location of Serendipity was the fact there was short stay parking right outside the front door, which is a big selling point for customers who need/want convenience.
The proposed removal of the parking came about from one resident who lives on a side street complaining that she struggles to see out of the junction to pull out onto the main road because of the cars parked outside the shops restricting her line of sight...Believe me if you could see the vast size of the junction you would laugh at the person who complained!
We had a petition with nearly 600 signatures supporting us to keep the parking versus the one complaint...but sadly we lost and we are waiting now for the parking restrictions to be implemented.
It was deemed by a slight majority of the committee that as a matter of Health and Safety that there was a risk of an accident and therefore they had to act on it - surely that could be said of any junction?
Anyway enough of the rantings, with regards the parking and Tesco - what ever will be will be..We will overcome it!!
Considering that it is the middle of the School Holidays, which looking back on sales at this time last year tjhey were very poor, it has actually been a good end of July and start of August, the website sales are increasing nicely and I still get new customers into the shop everyday - I love meeting new people!
I am in the process of getting stock ready to list on the website for Christmas - eek, can you believe it has got to that time of year already.
Whilst the stock is going onto the website over the next few weeks I won't be putting it out in the shop just yet, maybe another month or so before that!
Right, it's getting late in the day, time to start getting ready to shut up for today...
speak soon
take care
Claire x Posted on Tuesday Jul 28 0:00:00 BST 2009 Well it's yet again turned out to be a dull grey day here in Padiham...but when you walk into Serendipity you are greated by bright warmth..and that is just the colour of the walls and carpet tiles.
One thing that thrills me is when customers come in and say how bright, warm and appealing the shop is..especially people who have never been in before..
First impressions count and I think the fresh yellow walls, white woodwork and warm terracotta carpet tiles creates a fresh look that is just enhanced by the huge front windows allowing in so much light.
What I didn't realise when I planned the colour scheme was that not only would I have this bright, fresh looking shop, but in Winter, when it is so dark and dreary outside, with all the lights on the shop glows and ouses appeal by looking so warm and inviting.
You should have seen the state of the shop when I got the keys initally (I will try and find a photo) To say it is a large shop, it was dull, dank and very unappealing.
There was a faded pink carpet (like a bedroom carpet!), the walls were painted in a peachy coloured paint and to top it off all the woodwork was in a dark burgundy!!
The shop had previously been an opticians - and looking at their colour scheme, I can possibly understand why they went out of business (think the optician must have had bad eyesight)
Anyway it took just 3 weeks (3 very long and hard weeks) from getting the keys to opening - I owe so much to my Dad for all his hard work...for anyone who knows him they will know what a star he is!
Serendipity goes from strength to strength...the shop has new people coming in every day, and they add to the lovely core of regular customers I have.
Now the website is also taking off and sales are coming in thick and fast (not that im complaining - I love being busy!)
So on dull grey days like today, I love to look back and see how far Serendipity has come in just over a year...
With that in mind I better sign off for now and go and sort out some orders for posting...
Have a great day!
Claire x
Oh here is a photo to show how the shop was when I got it - and the same view taken a couple of weeks ago - a little bit of an improvement!
  Posted on Wednesday Jun 24 0:00:00 BST 2009 Well the cricket match on Friday was won by my team Pendle Forest...however it was so cold sat outside watching them I ended up leaving before the end!
It's been a busy couple of days, yesterday I took delivery of some amazing smelling goodies which included Bath Bombs, Incense Sticks, Reed Diffusers and Bath Passion Potion (ooo err)
Today it was the turn of new Burt's Bees stock to be delivered...all of which will be added to the website over the next couple of days
Tonights party will consist of the shop being open for anyone who wishes to top up on their card and gift supplies, but also there will be lots and lots of hand bags (in addition to the lines I currently carry) even though it's targetted at the ladies this is a night that anyone can come to..
I've even remembered to put the wine to chill in the fridge (oh yes we indulge in a glass or two of wine on the eve) and ive so far managed to resist (well almost) the nibbles
So all in all I think it should be a successful night, previous ones have been..
Below are a couple of pictures taken today of some of the stock
  Right I better go and put final touches together for tonight
Claire x
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