RETAILER FOCUS Salamander Cookshop


Housewares Magazine spoke to David Crossley, owner of Salamander Cookshop, following the retailer’s big achievement in the recent Housewares Awards.


customers trust what we sell and we have put an emphasis on carefully selecting products that are long lasting and top quality in each price range. Many suppliers have been supportive in helping us realise our aims and are helping us to be competitive on price too.


What have been your greatest moments at Salamander Cookshop? DC: There have been many, but our in-store events are always memorable and really appreciated by customers. A particular favourite was a drop-in visit by Dame Prue Leith prior to her one person show in Poole earlier this year. Upon her visit, she commented “What a lovely shop. Full of tempting, if not irresistible, stuff for a cook. All great quality too and at reasonable prices.”


What have been your greatest challenges? How did you overcome them? DC: For us, getting to really know and understand the homewares business we were becoming part of was the greatest challenge. We did, however, come from the learning business so learning comes naturally to us and much of the rest applies to whatever field you work in.


Congratulations on being voted ‘Highly Commended’ for Independent Retailer of the Year in this year’s Housewares Awards. What has the response been from everyone on your team? David Crossley: All the team are delighted at the validation this award provides. Numerous customers have passed on their congratulations and seem genuinely proud of the shop they support.


What can you attribute Salamander Cookshop’s success to? DC: Our enthusiasm and passion for what we sell and our genuine interest in cookware and cooking. In addition, our careful selection of products and making sure Salamander is always an interesting place to visit, browse and explore for both new products and old favourites. Equally important of course, is the support of our wonderful customers.


Salamander Cookshop was established in 1993. How have you maintained the business’ brand identity/ethos? DC: When we took on Salamander in 2019, we were proud to continue and build on its reputation as a destination store in our lovely market town. The original byline was “the good cook’s shop”. We have extended and refined this with a refreshed mission which is more inclusive to include those who enjoy cooking, want to cook more or know someone who does. We focused on bringing cookware to life through events and in store demonstrations. We have also developed staff knowledge and enthusiasm for the products we sell through training. As a result,


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What are your plans for the rest of the year? How will you continue to evolve the business? DC: We are planning a number of new and even more inspiring events. We are always looking to introduce new products and ranges following our attendance at trade shows and meetings with suppliers. We are proud of being a bricks and mortar business and to date our use of the virtual world has been to complement and replicate it. Our next steps involve developing a new loyalty scheme and enhancing our browse and explore website to include a click and collect service and dropship offer in conjunction with key suppliers.


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