Why did you set up Sugar and Spice?

We noticed a gap in the market locally whilst having our first child Erin - there wasn't anywhere nearby to buy nursery items, for almost a 10 mile radius in fact!

What products do you stock?

We stock most major brands including Bugaboo, Icandy, Quinny, Phil & Teds, Baby Jogger, Maxi-cosi, Britax, Kaloo, Gro-Group, Cheeky Rascals, Trunki, Steadyco, Fun to See, Skibz, DK Bedding and various safety and gift related products. We also work closely with local crafts people that hand make items such as wooden storage boxes (personalised with artwork and the child's name), hair accessories, cards, jewellery etc. We feel by doing this it gives local people with creative talent an outlet to display and sell their items - but all must be baby related.

We also provide a hire service for people going on holiday. We offer a range of small lightweight products i.e. Quinny Zapp, Petite Star Zia, Phil & Teds travel carrycot, Handysitt and Holidoze, that are better suited for travel than the items they may have purchased for home use. This is very popular and also eliminates the worry of their larger pushchair being damaged by the airlines etc. It also helps that we are very close to Gatwick airport!

Describe your customer base

Our customer base is varied; from the very affluent to the middle market. That said, we try to cater for most on the basis that if we haven't got something we can probably still get it. We have a good base of loyal customers, some that were unknown to us have now become customers and good friends that we will see until the child reaches 3-4yrs. Occasionally they will pop-in just to say hello or we see them again when baby number two is on the way!

How long does a customer typically spend in store?

We can spend up to an hour or more with first time parents to be, giving demonstrations and explaining pushchairs and car seats, even taking the pushchair out to the customers car to make sure it fits in the boot!! We have an honest and open approach in the store and any feedback on products from previous customers is passed on to future customers. We feel the customer appreciates this approach as they find buying baby items for the first time very daunting with so many products available on the market to choose from.

What about after sales - what is your returns policy?

We try to rectify issues and problems as efficiently and quickly as possible, we carry out minor repairs in store and should a pushchair need to go back to the supplier for repair we offer a free of charge loan pushchair suitable to the age of the child.

Do you have an online platform and how effective is it as a source of revenue?

Yes we do have an online platform, unfortunately it's not a great source of revenue, although revenue is increasing all the time and it does get our name out to a wider audience.

127 London Rd, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 1EQ
01342 313700
www.sugarandspicebaby.co.uk

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