A Question and Answer Session with Jobsons Owner Rachel

A Question and Answer Session with Jobsons Owner Rachel



You bought the Jobsons of Alnwick business from the previous owners in January 2024. What made you want to the buy the business?

I've always loved retail and clothing ever since I was little. I knew the Jobsons store really well having shopped there many times previously and when the business was advertised for sale I was intrigued. The business is such a local institution and it was known for its great brands and friendly customer service. After carrying out some further due diligence, I knew the Jobsons business was for me. Although I'm an accountant by trade, my high-powered career and achievements in finance weren't really giving me any enjoyment anymore, so I wanted to change my working life whilst I had the courage to do so.

How has the journey been so far?

I think it's fair to say that the summer retail trading period has been very challenging all over the UK. The weather was very changeable - we had a very wet spring and early summer, and it wasn't too warm in North Northumberland, so a lot of classic products that we sell normally during the summer, such as Birkenstock sandals, haven't sold as much as I would have hoped. I'm an optimist though, and know that there can be many ups and downs in retail and that no two seasons are never the same. Brighter times are always around the corner.

I've really enjoyed meeting our customers old and new, locals and holidaymakers. Choosing the new brands that we have successfully introduced such as Lily & Me, Passenger Clothing, and Penelope Chilvers, has been amazing. I really feel we now have a well rounded, quality selection of brands to suit all tastes and budgets.

How do you choose the products you stock in your shop?

We love quality brands at Jobsons and I always keep that in mind when I'm choosing new brands. I always like to see the potential products in person, meet the reps or agents for the brand, and really understand their ethos and how their products would be received by our customers. This is what we did with new brands such as Sugarhill Brighton and Lunar Shoes, but we also re-visited exisitng brands like Barbour and Grisport.

It's not a coincidence that a lot of our new and existing brands are owner-managed businesses just like Jobsons, and most have great sustainability credentials, which is really important to us.

You've mentioned sustainability - how does it play a role in your business decisions and product offerings?

Fashion and retail businesses have a huge role in improving the sustainability of their products. We only have one planet, and we must save it for future generations. Sustainability can come in many forms, but we like brands that take care and minimise their carbon footprints during production, and ones which advocate slow fashion by using materials that last.

We introduced Nomads Clothing because they use natural fibre fabrics and eco-friendly dyes. We love Sugarhill Brighton as they use Lenzing Ecovero which uses up to 50% less water and 50% CO2 emissions to produce than regular viscose. They also produce small batches of each of their designs to minimise waste. And we are really proud to stock Ducky Zebra, our flagship baby and childrenswear range, which advocates gender neutral clothing, and has generous sizing so they clothes last longer than other brands.

How important is community engagement to your business, and what local initiatives have you supported?

The Jobsons store is based in a small town called Alnwick based in North Northumberland. Without the support of our local community, I simply wouldn't have a store.

I have gifted numerous raffle prizes to local causes each month, from local Brownie groups to fundraising events at village halls. The business also purchased a table at a local charity clay pigeon shoot in the summer to raise funds for NE Youth, a youth charity which offers youth clubs, training courses and support to youngsters in the region.

In October, we're hosting a fashion show in-store to fundraise for Hospice Care North Northumberland, supporting Mazza's March, which is being run by a local family in memory of their amazing Mum Marilyn Vickers. Mazza made my wedding cake and was a well-know figure in the community and I'm so proud that we can dedicate an eveing to her to support such a fantastic local cause.

What advice would you give to someone starting a retail business in the UK today?

Retail is not for the faint-hearted. Consumers and their behaviour can be very hard to predict (we're all humans after all)! The British weather can also be very changeable so no two days are the same. One day you can be selling sandals on a hot day, the next you might have customers so cold that they come into your store asking for a woolly hat.

Cashflows can be very lumpy as seasonal stock needs to bought and paid for so far in advance of the season and it being sold. It's best not to worry about each day's takings, and think more about the long term.

Being my own boss is the best feeling, but you need to surround yourself with the best and most loyal people, as you can't do everything yourself.

Overall enjoy it - the people, the products and the community that you base yourself in can be part of the best decision that you've made in your life.

Much Love

Rachel and the Jobsons team x

 

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