Monday February 4 2019 THE NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM, BIRMINGHAM
our street was on the route. The whole of York dressed up for the occasion and the shops went all-out with their window displays. After the cyclists rode through, Bishy [Bishopthorpe] Road Traders' Association (of which I was secretary) hosted a huge street party - it was incredible! Following this, we decided to enter the Great
British High Street Awards. After coming in as runners-up, we applied again the following year and won Gold! It was a lot of work but hugely rewarding.
What’s been the biggest change since you became involved in the housewares industry? I've seen huge changes since we began at Pextons in 1999. The move to online shopping is, of course, the main factor affecting the industry. The demographic of our customers also changed,
as they aged. For instance, certain products became less and less in demand, like Fairy soap, soda crystals and chip pans. At F&J's, I really wanted to stick to the principle of the traditional cookshop. However, it was clear soon after we opened that we had to adapt to customer demand for giftware. Some kitchen items that we sold in 1999 now seem almost antiquated! One great improvement is ordering stock online, which is vastly quicker and more effective than the
old method. I remembering 20 years ago ordering via fax or having to leave a verbal list on an answering machine.
Which housewares suppliers do you most admire and why? During my seven years at F& J's I was very impressed by the quality and integrity of Kilo and Zeal by CKS, and also by the hugely popular Magpie range from Cubic Wholesale. Rex London was always a safe bet for gift kitchenware. Kitchen Craft was probably my most important supplier, due to its huge range and frequent new additions. Rayware was always good value and essential for basic teapots and Kilner jars. For the cake decorating section, I stuck almost
exclusively with Culpitt: a very efficient and friendly supplier. For kitchen textiles, you can't go wrong with Ulster Weavers. In terms of fragranced candles, I tended to stick with Pintail and Heaven Scent: both top sellers.
Name one change you would make to the housewares industry. I would love to see the playing field made fairer for bricks-and-mortar traders versus purely online. However, it’s good to see a small step being implemented in April for a cut in business rates by a
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third for small-medium premises. I still think there’s a demand for physical shops, especially those that provide an exceptional shopping experience. I’ve even heard recently of online stores wanting to open their first high street premises!
What advice would you give to someone starting out in housewares retailing? My advice would be: start small but in a good location - you need footfall and impulse purchasing. Find your feet; get to know your customers, especially your regulars; go big on social media (it's more or less free advertising!); and always make sure your window display is eye-catching and clean. If you can, complement your shop with e-commerce - but get to know the trade first.
What’s next? The plan is no plan for now - a bit of me time, then a rethink in six months.
Is it goodbye or au revoir to the housewares industry? It's goodbye for now but I'm still involved in retail in York with my role at Indie York.
TIM & JO ASQUITHPartners of Frankie and Johnny’s Cookshop in York On the Floor We specialise in Polish pottery, which we import
What are your backgrounds? Tim: For many years I worked for BMW in retail and management, before becoming an independent consultant on customer experience specialising in the car industry. Jo: I used to be a buyer in the drinks trade, where I also gained experience of retail, wholesale and corporate customers. When our daughter started at school, I studied for a degree in education followed by a PhD in school leadership and sustainability. Most recently, I worked at Defra [Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs] on policy surrounding Brexit.
Why did you decide to open a cookshop? We had been looking for either a business idea or a business to buy, and when we saw the long- established and successful Frankie and Johnny’s Cookshop on the award-winning Bishopthorpe Road in York was for sale, we recognised the opportunity. We took over Frankie and Johnny’s Cookshop in October 2018 and haven’t looked back.
Tell us a bit about Frankie and Johnny’s Cookshop.
Our shop is an eclectic mix of goods and is often referred to as an Aladdin’s cave. We stock cookware, kitchenware, bakeware, sugarcraft essentials and kitchen textiles, and hire out baking tins for birthday cakes.
direct from factories in Poland. Alongside the cookware, we stock a range of gifts including French market soaps, candles, diffusers and teabag bath salts. We also sell a wide range of cards, wrapping paper and party goods. We are known for our lunch bags, bamboo reusable coffee cups and lunch boxes.
“We want to take the business forward, building on the great
reputation that Frankie & Johnny’s Cookshop already enjoys”
How would you describe your product mix? Eclectic: a mixture of useful, fun, indulgent and essential.
How do you find new products? Trade fairs, catalogues, magazines, research, other shops and a keen personal interest.
Who are your key suppliers? Eddingtons, Creative Tops, George East (Housewares), Ulster Weavers, Ecoffee, Rayware, KitchenCraft and Culpitt.
What lines have you stocked recently? Christmas lines and sustainable and eco products such as stainless steel straws and bamboo compost bins.
What products are selling well at the moment? Beeswax wraps, bamboo coffee cups and lunch boxes, recycled plastic lunch bags and sustainable products generally.
Who is your typical customer? We are lucky to enjoy a wide range of customers both from the local community, visitors from the UK and overseas, and from all age groups. It is this diverse customer base that is the joy of owning a shop and enables us to provide a personal and individual service with the help of our fantastic staff.
What’s keeping you busy? Taking over a business in the run-up to Christmas certainly keeps you busy!
What’s on your agenda? Visiting Spring trade shows, working on our website and social media, and introducing an EPOS system. We want to take the business forward, building on the great reputation that Frankie & Johnny’s Cookshop already enjoys.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job? Sourcing new products, looking after and serving our fabulous customers, working with our fantastic staff, and being part of the award-winning Bishy [Bishopthorpe] Road trading community. We are also delighted to part of the innovative Indie York group that supports and champions independent trading in York.
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