In 2010 Natasha Hicks of Weymouth set up her dream company Mollie & Fred an online retail business selling desirable homeware and design led gifts to the world. The company was set up in her kitchen, and she used her spare bedroom as a storage room. The company is named after Tasha’s children and owning a lifestyle business had always been her ambition.
Mollie & Fred grew rapidly with sales in the first year increasing by 45-50% and they have continued to grow ever since. The big difference with Mollie & Fred is that the business started on the internet and then grew into a “bricks and mortar” business very recently with the opening of “The Gift Box” at Granby Court Weymouth. The new retail showroom is located just next door to the distribution centre of the online Mollie & Fred. The inclusion of face to face retail has been an immediate success with customers who love to come into the retail unit to browse, go home with a cup of coffee and browse the website, make their purchase and then pop into the showroom the next door to pick up their purchases. No delivery charges and free parking at this time of year makes sense to a lot of people who are limited on time.
Mollie & Fred are now a multi-channel retailer using an online website with over 2500 product lines, an E Bay shop and a Amazon shop, and are regular users of social media to create interest in sales via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest where Tasha can quickly upload pictures of new deliveries and get an instant reaction via “likes” to her new products.
Natasha Hicks, Owner and Entrepreneur of Mollie & Fred said “The last 5 years have been incredible, we started with a website and exhibiting at various Dorset shows with our products. Customers loved our collection of gifts and were always asking for a retail showroom where they could touch and experience the products. I am so pleased that with the opening of “The Gift Box” we can now offer this. I think for any retailer to be successful in today’s ever changing market they need to offer multi-channel retailing, customers want options when they shop, be that online or instore, retailers need to be flexible and adaptable to change to be successful.” Tasha went on to say “We are also hosting Christmas Shopping parties where a hostess can invite her friends and family to a shopping evening, we provide the venue, invites and products and the party host provides the customers and refreshments.
The parties work really well and the hostess is happy as she benefits from a generous discount on her purchases and a goody bag. Its all about creating a retail experience for my customers.”
Many top UK Retailers such as Next, John Lewis and Top Shop have all developed success multi-channel retailing strategies. Listening to customers and making products available through various mediums is the way forward and successful small businesses are learning from them.
Mickey Jones, Chief Executive of DJ Property, landlords of Granby Court said “Mollie & Fred personify the future of retailing. It has been great to watch their business grow and I welcome the challenge of providing them with bigger and better business space as their rapid growth continues. It is great having high growth business in South Dorset, they will be the future of the local economy. “
Mollie & Fred will continue to develop and grow at its unit in Granby Court on Weymouth’s Granby Industrial Estate. This business now provides employment not only for the Hicks family but also a growing team in the showroom and distribution centre. Mollie & Fred is a perfect solution for stress free Christmas shopping in 2014.
For more information please click on to www.mollieandfred.co.uk or call into the showroom right in the centre of Granby Industrial Estate at Unit 4, Granby Court, Surrey Close, Granby Industrial Estate, Weymouth, Dorset. DT4 9XB
Press enquiries to Julie Cleaver, Popcorn Marketing 01305 774629 or email [email protected]
