I shall write a full post Olympia and NEC review in our December newsletter.
In todays fast changing marketplace, with the seemingly daily demise of major high street brands, coupled with consumer confidence increasing in online shopping platforms, the changes are bound to have a knock on effect on the good “old fashioned antiques trade”!
Just from a personal perspective and in a relatively short time frame we had closed our Bricks and Mortar premises in the New Forest, heavily invested in an online gallery, whilst continuing to attend numerous fairs throughout the country.
The balance as with any retail business is keeping overheads down and footfall up, whilst ensuring your clients remain satisfied with both the quality of your works of art and the service level being provided.
Just one example of a recent situation we faced, whilst we never fall into the trap of buying specifically for antique shows, we do have to have an eye on the layout of our stand weeks if not months before the event. Naturally this leads to items of a certain size or importance being “notionally reserved “ to fill that valuable space, to enhance our presence at the fair, whilst giving our important visitors a worthwhile and enjoyable experience. |