INDEPENDENT MINDS

 

I recently hosted a roundtable discussion with a handful of the best womenswear indies in the North, including Black White Denim, Amabo, Bottega, Lynx, Halo and Kryshia, and it was a lively, informative and extremely interesting gathering.

 

We chatted about everything that is affecting independent retailers at the moment (and more!) - from bugbears through supplier relationships, from fashion to the ever changing face of retail and everything in between, we thrashed out ideas and viewpoints about the challenges and opportunities for independent retail.

 

Guy Hudson of Lynx Harrogate

 

It was inspiring to see so much passion for the industry and for retail come through, especially as some of the participants have been in the industry for 35 years, and it left me with a massive sense of optimism about the future of indies.

 

Jo Davis of Black White Denim

 

We established that the beauty of being an independent is, well, exactly that, independent, and that because of it indies can react quicker to the challenges of the times and create shopping experiences that are unrivaled.

With so much negativity out there, I expected a lot of moaning, but I was surprised by the proactive attitude and can-do approach by the panel. The upshot is of our discussion was that, whilst it’s undoubtedly tough, independent fashion retailers still have a place on the Great British high street, and that by working together, the sector can thrive again.

 

Louise Routeledge of Halo

Read the full summary of the roundtable discussion in the next issue of WWB, which is out 12 December.