It's Independent Retailer Month! Every July, Independent Retailer Month encourages consumers to shop at local, independent retailers, highlighting the positive effects shopping independent has on your local community. For every £1 spent in an independent business, around 70p goes back into the local economy. Plus, independent retailers reinvest 130% more of their revenues than chain retailers, having a direct, positive impact on the local community. There are a thousand reasons why we love independent businesses, but we simply wouldn't have the time to share all of those with you! We know many of our customers share our passion for small businesses, and that's why we wanted to celebrate some fantastic indie retailers that we know you'll love. Meet 3 of our wonderful stockists & fellow pet-loving independent re-tail-ers...
Winston James Woof
Photo by @stephaniedreamsphotography
Tell us a little bit about yourself & your business
What is your favourite part about running your business?
Your favourite Hiro + Wolf product you stock?
Shout out another independent business you love!
Henderson Hound
Tell us a little bit about yourself & your business
What is your favourite part about running your business?
Your favourite Hiro + Wolf product you stock?
Shout out another independent business you love!
We absolutely love working with independent businesses - it’s pretty much all we do. One of our favourites is an amazing leather maker Willow and Hive. All of Anda’s work is stunning. She actually uses her off-cuts to make poo bag holders & treat bags for Henderson Hound, but we own her purses and plant holders too!
Eric & Dolly's
Tell us a little bit about yourself & your business
Literally my life evolves round dogs, personally and at work and I would not change this for the world. Since a very young age I have adored dogs. Everything about them. All breeds, small, large young and old, I’m their giving big kisses and cuddles. My partner and I moved to Burnham Market 5 years ago with our two doggies Eric & Dolly and what we loved about Norfolk was how dog friendly everywhere was which is partly why we moved here. Our doggie boutique is named after our crazy, lovable due, Eric our Boston Terrier being chief model/jumper/coat/harness tester and Dolly our bull terrier being chief taster for all of our lovely treats. Our little doggie Boutique sells everything your doggie could wish for from collars & leads, harnesses to organic doggie shampoos, perfumes, toys, bandanas, and so much more. We have so many lovely, unique suppliers from all over the world your doggie will be spoilt for choice. Our ethos is to make your doggie feel the most special doggie in the world from the moment their little paws step through our doors. Its most definitely all about the dogs at Eric & Dolly’s.
What is your favourite part about running your business?
Absolutely our customers and their doggies. What is not to love about dog cuddles and daily wet kisses (from the doggies of course!) I am so passionate about making our customers feel special. I love helping them choose the correct fitting harness, collar or coat. Advising them what would be the most appropriate choice. It's so important to me that the doggie is comfortable. It’s not about the sale at Eric & Dolly’s, it’s about what’s right for their doggie. That’s so important to me and I think the customers can see this which is what makes them return to us (which makes me do a little happy dance!)
Your favourite Hiro + Wolf product you stock?
Gosh there are so many! Hiro and Wolf products do so so well in our doggie Boutique. I must say they are one of our best sellers. All of the products that we have do incredibly well. They fit the doggies so well, are super comfortable and so easy to fit. I would say if I had to choose one it would be the Pink Inca products. The collars, harnesses and leads really stand out in our shop and definitely attract a lot of attention from our customers. Plus Dolly looks absolutely gorgeous in her set and often gets stopped on her walks which she thoroughly loves as she loves all the attention
Shout out another independent business you love!
Wag & Bone in Aldeburgh. They are amazing also selling lots of lovely doggie accessories. They have been so helpful in giving me tips during my first year of opening during the pandemic, couldn’t thank them enough. And their little doggie Boutique is super cute.
A huge thank you to our pawsome stockists for taking the time to chat with us! We highly recommend having a browse though all of their beautiful stores & sharing the independent retailer love with them. Do you have a favourite independent pet business? Tell us all about them in the comments!