Festive Shopping is a focus of this issue of Channel Mag so we thought it appropriate to have a chat to local Shore people who will be looking forward to restrictions easing so customers can visit their wonderful stores over the next few weeks. We talked to Paula Wallace from Wallace Cotton, Franca Logan from Florienne, Anne Nicolle from Spero Clothing and Shoes, and Deanna Barber of Pop Roc Parties. Four quite different businesses looking forward to Covid19 being well behind us!
Summer shopping at Wallace Cotton, with Paula Wallace
Wallace Cotton is a family-owned New Zealand bed linen and homeware business, founded in 2006 with their head office and a retail stores on the Shore and across New Zealand. Design Director and owner, Paula Wallace provides a glimpse into running a retail business over the course of the pandemic, life in lockdown and what they suggest you buy as gifts this festive season.
Channel Magazine: How have you survived through lockdown to ensure your business is ready for the festive shopping period?
Paula Wallace: September has been challenging for Wallace Cotton as we’ve moved head office, warehouse and retail store from Apollo Drive to our beautiful new building in Parkway Drive – we’re looking forward to being open in time for festive shopping.
CM: What are the exciting things happening in your business for Christmas and Summer 2021/22?
PW: Our new store in Parkway Drive will be open when we are allowed to trade from it and by then Christmas and summer season will be in store with lots of goodies for gifting and decorating.
CM: Are there any particular product lines or trends you are seeing happening for 2022 in your sector?
PW: Customers are loving natural, environmentally sustainable fabrics which we have been sourcing for years now, with most of our bed linen and sleepwear made from organic cotton or plant based modal.
CM: If there is one gift people should be buying off you for Christmas 2021 what would that be?
PW: Beautiful soft cotton beach towels, we have some gorgeous beachy stripes and a tropical print arriving soon in time for a swimming summer.
CM: What are you looking forward to business-wise in 2022?
PW: My Christmas wish is for a wee bit of normality, so we can settle in to trading safely with confidence that lockdowns are a thing of
the past.
CM: Personally, what would you like Santa to bring for you at Christmas?
PW: My perfect present would be my lovely family’s presence over Christmas and new year.
CM: Aside from your store, what local store will you be supporting this festive season and why?
PW: Farro on Constellation Drive, which is just along the road from our new store. Being a keen foodie family, we’ll be visiting Farro frequently for food and gifts leading up to Christmas.
Visit: www.wallacecotton.co.nz
Florienne’s blooming this festive season, with Franca Logan
Franca Logan runs Florienne, a much-loved Florist located in the heart of Hurstmere Road in Takapuna. The business started in 2009 and Franca, who is Dutch, has over 30 years of international design, competition and teaching experience and passion for all things botanical. The business has been through the ups and downs of navigating the pandemic like so many other small businesses. Franca speaks to Channel Magazine about what she’ll be doing to support local this festive season and what customers can expect from Florienne.
Channel Magazine: How have you survived through lockdown to ensure your business is ready for the festive shopping period?
Franca Logan: We have been able to open contactless and for online orders during level three, which has been a lifeline. Contactless deliveries and collections are going strong.
CM: What are the exciting things happening in your business for Christmas and Summer 2021/22?
FL: We are excited for the Hurstmere Road roadworks to finish so that we can spill out onto the pavement again with our floral treats.
CM: Are there any particular product lines or trends you are seeing happening for 2022 in your sector?
FL: Natural garden style fresh flowers and bouquets are still the most popular gifts. Working from home for many has seen an increase of flowers for home offices desks. One should always have even a simple little flower to enjoy wherever you are.
CM: If there is one gift people should be buying off you for Christmas 2021 what would that be?
FL: Flowers of course, gorgeous fresh flower bouquets. Flowering plants such as Orchids are always a great option too.
CM: What are you looking forward to business-wise in 2022?
FL: Getting back to a level where we can welcome people into our store again and just doing what we enjoy, making fab lush bouquets.
CM: Personally, what would you like Santa to bring for you at Christmas?
FL: A beehive for my garden!
CM: Aside from your store, what local store will you be supporting this festive season and why?
FL: We have such a fab hospo selection in Takapuna. Ark, Holy Shot, Jam for daily fixes, Taylors and Sam’s are faves and of course Madam Woo for our annual Christmas party. Oscar & Co for a long-awaited haircut!
Visit: www.florienne.co.nz.
Shop Spero for your summer wardrobe, with Anne Nicolle
Anne Nicolle operates Birkenhead's premium clothing and footwear destination, Spero. The store has a variety of coveted fashion and footwear brands from New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Europe, including brands such as Emporio Italia, EOS, Curate by Trelise Cooper, Joseph Ribkoff, Lemon Tree Design, Lania, Minx Boutique and many more. Anne talks about operating a retail business during COVID, the importance of online sales and what she’s expecting will be ‘in’ this Summer season.
Channel Magazine: How have you survived through lockdown to ensure your business is ready for the festive shopping period?
Anne Nicolle: Online sales which I am very grateful for, and reluctantly Government handouts like so many businesses at the moment.
CM: What are the exciting things happening in your business for Christmas and Summer 2021/22?
AN: I have found it difficult to plan for Christmas/Summer due to restrictions with the lockdown in Auckland. I have a wonderful summer clothing and shoe collection to show my customers when the doors finally open and we have an online store and contactless pick up.
CM: Are there any particular product lines or trends you are seeing happening for 2022 in your sector?
AN: Vintage inspired clothing with splashes of colour and eye-catching prints.
CM: If there is one gift people should be buying off you for Christmas 2021 what would that be?
AN: A hand crafted Emporio Italia leather handbag made in Italy.
CM: What are you looking forward to business-wise in 2022?
AN: A lockdown free year with no restrictions, and being able to show my new ranges of clothing and footwear.
CM: Personally, what would you like Santa to bring for you at Christmas?
AN: Being able to travel out of Auckland to see my daughter.
CM: Aside from your store, what local store will you be supporting this festive season and why?
AN: We have a great variety of stores/cafes/restaurants in the Birkenhead community and I plan on sharing my custom amongst all of them.
Visit: www.spero.co.nz.
Amazing looking celebrations at Pop Roc Parties, with Deanna Barber
Deanna Barber is the Director of Pop Roc Parties, a Belmont based party store providing a unique range of party supplies and party hire furniture for all your celebrations. The pandemic and the lockdowns have been tough for the business. Deanna talks about customers embracing ‘bubble parties’ and what she’s expecting this festive season.
Channel Magazine: How have you survived through lockdown to ensure your business is ready for the festive shopping period?
Deanna Barber: Level four lockdown was really tough. With parties and celebrations cancelled, things came to a complete halt, however since then people have embraced ‘bubble’ parties and I’ve been doing a lot of helium balloons!
CM: What are the exciting things happening in your business for Christmas and Summer 2021/22?
DB: This is always a busy time of year as families celebrate Christmas together and also summertime birthdays - the great weather means that people tend to throw parties more frequently and will hopefully still be able to within whatever Covid restrictions we are living with.
CM: Are there any particular product lines or trends you are seeing happening for 2022 in your sector?
DB: Picnics and outdoor celebrations are rising in popularity (even before the ‘Level 3 Picnic’ announcement) along with more ‘old fashioned’ looking partyware - think vintage floral designs.
CM: If there is one gift people should be buying off you for Christmas 2021 what would that be?
DB: Christmas Tree decorations are always popular and I try to stock a varied range. I started a tradition with my kids of buying them a new decoration each year, so they’ll then have their own collection to take with them when they leave home. They also make a great end of year Teacher gift.
CM: What are you looking forward to business-wise in 2022?
DB: My first year of having an actual retail store has been impacted heavily by Covid and so I’d love to see a more settled 2022 and to be able to really grow my local presence within the North Shore Community.
CM: Personally, what would you like Santa to bring for you at Christmas?
DB: I’ve been eyeing up some new outdoor furniture, but I’d honestly be happy with some good summer weather and the chance to catch up properly with friends and family!
CM: Aside from your store, what local store will you be supporting this festive season and why?
DB: I always love browsing through Shut the Front Door and Duck Limited in Takapuna. Both always have such a great range of homewares and gifts for those hard to buy for family members!
Visit: www.poprocparties.co.nz
