Introducing…FashionShop.co.uk

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Q Could you tell us a bit about your background, did you previously study/work in business, retail or fashion?

 

David: Samantha and I are from very different backgrounds. I worked for several years in Cambridge then Oxford working for cable telecommunication companies, before moving into freelance IT consultancy in April 2000. Samantha has worked in the beauty industry for most of her professional life. With our internet retail business, Samantha runs our logistics, stock control and accounts, I handle sales, marketing, R&D and we both focus very strongly on customer service – the most important aspect of a distance selling business.

 

 

Q What initially sparked off the idea for Fashion Shop?

 

David: We created our first internet retail business in November 2002. It was (still is) an on-line aromatherapy retail shop www.youraromatherapy.co.uk which became very successful before we sold it a few months ago to raise capital for the Fashion Shop. We have also bought and sold a couple of other internet retail businesses, including a discount fashion website www.z2clothing.com and a needlepoint business www.superstitcher.com. Z2 gave us 11 months of industry experience and opened our eyes to the market, suppliers, the dangers of fraud and counterfeit products as well as how enjoyable working in the fashion industry was. This is where our interest in the market came from and the concept of Fashion Shop was born!

 

 

Q How did you get FashionShop.co.uk off the ground?

 

David: From our earlier ventures into the fashion industry, we knew that this business needed to reach the higher end of the fashion market. We created and developed a suitable brand and we have been very lucky with the web address, so easy to remember and market. After we made the decision to push ahead with our idea, we worked closely with Karen at Top Left Design to create a strong brand image and an easy to use dynamic web site.

 

The next and most important stage was to add content to our shop. This is an ongoing project and being a new business, we have experienced a fair amount of resistance particularly with established fashion names, to the concept of pure internet retail. For every successful enquiry, we’ve had 10 rejections. Having said that, we know that we must prove the concept of FashionShop regardless, and those brands that are more forward thinking and prepared to use FashionShop to showboat their goods will benefit greatly, particularly over the coming Christmas shopping period. 

 

 

Q For those new to Fashion Shop what sort of merchandise does the e-tail-shop provide?   {mosimage}

 

David: We present high value men’s and ladies fashion accessories and clothing from established and emerging fashion brands. 

 

Our first marketing campaign to be launched in May focuses on ladies handbags and accessories. We stock genuine Forzieri-designed handbags made from soft Italian leather, and a fantastic range of designer carry cases and laptop bags for the professional woman from Moonsus – these are exclusive to FashionShop in Europe. As well as our range of men’s tie-clips, cufflinks and shirts we expect to bring on board new suppliers before our launch date, adding a great range of jewellery, cashmere and silk scarves and gift ideas.

 

 

Q What sets Fashion Shop apart from its competitors?

 

David: Our vision for FashionShop is to make it the UK’s leading internet fashion retail outlet, selling a wide range of high-value quality products in one easy to use shop. Our customers benefit from online order tracking and advanced fraud protection in conjunction with our PSP partner, Protx. We also offer added-value services to returning customers through exclusive membership pages. These allow customers to manage their own personal details, request up to 5 personal callbacks a month, and choose to opt-in to our regular eNewsletters featuring exclusive member discounts, industry news and the latest product lines added to our shop.

 

 

Q How many labels does the site offer at the moment?

 

David: We have 2 authorized distribution agreements with Fashion Houses. We also have several other brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Emporio Armani, Pierre Cardin available to us via third party suppliers. Our first goal is to have 10 major suppliers by the end of the year.

 

 

Q Will you be stocking any up-and-coming labels, or are you more geared towards established brands? {mosimage}

 

David: We would like to keep a good balance between the established and emerging fashion brands. The well-known fashion houses carry a lot of credibility – however we understand the importance in promoting new talents and we are happy to feature up-and-coming labels that have the energy and drive to make it happen!

 

(Fashion Designers, please email: brand@fashionshop.co.uk or call David on 01933 384 844.)

 

 

Q Could you tell us a bit about your future plans for the site…

 

David: Our mission statement is to take FashionShop to the number 1 spot in UK internet fashion retail within 18 months. Ambitious, but very achievable with our experience and with the right level of support, particularly from suppliers. We are working very hard to bring in the right equity investor with industry experience and an understanding of the potential of internet retail. Our success here will determine how quickly FashionShop reaches its potential.

 

 

Contact details…       {mosimage}

 

Press/Company News: David Geran – 01933 384 844

 

Email: info@fashionshop.co.uk

 

Customers visit: www.fashionshop.co.uk

 

 

 

By JoJo Iles