retailer spotlight: you, ruby loves and baby you

It’s the magic number…

By Naomi Davis

Stamford based shops You (pictured), Ruby Loves and Baby You are a trio of fabulous independents that epitomise relaxed luxury, each offering something unique to the historic town’s shoppers. Naomi Davis caught up with owner Liz Stevenson to find out more about them.

Nestled away in the cobbled streets of Stamford, a pictur- esque stone town popular with directors of period dramas, are three little retail gems: You, Ruby Loves and Baby You. Their exteriors sit sympathetically amongst the Georgian build- ings. However, once inside they offer shoppers a contemporary range of products in altogether modern interiors. You stocks perfect presents and delectable housewares, Ruby Loves is a youthful lifestyle shop that of- fers fashion, accessories and jewellery, and Baby You is a niche baby shop stocking tradi- tional baby toys, clothes and accessories.

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10 Gifts & Housewares

wners Liz and Les

Stevenson have years of ex- perience in retail between them, having moved to Stamford 12 years ago from Kent where they already had a gift shop. They exper- imented with different shops before settling into the three as they currently stand, as Liz explains,

“We originally opened a gadget shop called the Nth degree which was phenomenally successful. Then in 1999 we fell in love with, and acquired, the premises that are now home to You. We then ran a shop alongside Nth degree called Cosmetic Kitchen which sold hand- made cosmetics. As it turned more towards girly products, we re- launched it as a lifestyle shop called And You. After the gadget boom died down we knocked down the dividing wall and turned the whole space into Ruby Loves, which has remained for nearly five years.” Baby You came into existence in 2003 when a unit became available and Liz took the chance to indulge in her love of baby products. Though each shop reflects Liz’s sense of style and discerning ap- proach to buying, that is where the similarities between them end. She prides herself on the fact that they each have their own identity and that a lot of shoppers don’t realise they are connected. You is the key- stone of the three and offers Stamford’s affluent shoppers luxuri-

ous gifts and housewares that are chic yet cosy. The shop balances an aspirational feel with affordable prices, meaning that shoppers with limited budget are still able to en- joy the lifestyle it caters to. The left corner of the shop is home to all things sweet smelling, housing a collection of giftable beauty brands including L’Occitaine, Au Lait and Berkley Square, alongside boutique home fragrance products from brands such as Amélie et Mélanie, Arran Aromatics and Wax Lyrical. Liz says she has strategically placed this section near the front of the shop, “We try and appeal to every sense so that when the customer enters they are met with music and pleasant fragrances. On Saturdays we turn the music up and create a real feel good vibe which gets the customers in the mood. Even things like lighting and tempera- ture are taken into consideration because they are part of the shop- ping experience.”

Lively Latin music drifts through the shop, somehow complement- ing the distinctly British Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20