POP TO THE SHOP: FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM GIVES LLANELLI SHOPS DESIGNER TREATMENT IN STUNNING WINDOW TRANSFORMATION
- Angie’s Baby Cwtch and Just Into Crafts have unveiled shopper-stopper windows created by a world-renowned designer
- Two of just 13 stunning window displays appearing across the UK as part of Facebook’s call for people to continue to shop local and support small businesses
- New research finds over half (55%) of consumers may desert their local independent businesses as restrictions completely lift
7th July: Llanelli-based small businesses, Angie’s Baby Cwtch and Just Into Crafts have been given a makeover as part of nationwide transformations to encourage Brits to keep shopping locally and support small businesses, as their daily lives start to return to normal.
A total of 13 independent shops – stretching from Dunfermline to Llanelli – have been given extraordinary window displays by world-renowned British conceptual designer, Jo Sedley. The captivating new window displays have all been created to showcase each shop’s unique business story.
Women’s refuge support worker Angie had always wanted to own and run a baby clothes shop. So, she saved money from her job and in 2017 at the age of 60 opened her dream shop. At first working part-time between the refuge centre and her new store, she now runs the shop full time thanks to her loyal customers.
Highlighting Angie’s love of traditional baby clothes, the new window takes the beautiful products from the store and makes it a dreamland, incorporating the whimsical building blocks from the shop’s own logo.
Debbie has been involved in all aspects of crafts throughout her life and after a brief attempt at retirement decided to open Just Into Crafts so she could provide everyone with materials at affordable prices. Growing up she had struggled to get crafts materials and didn’t want anyone else in her community to be in the same position. As part of this, she opens her store early solely for anyone who has mental or physical ailments and needs a more peaceful or personalised shopping experience.
With so many amazing fabrics, textiles and tools to choose from in the store, Jo created a unique silhouette incorporating as many different crafts elements as possible to show the incredible range of products that Debbie offers.
The windows are digitally shoppable, taking shoppers to Facebook via a unique QR code where passersby can browse, shop and support their local stores online. Facebook Shops launched a year ago to make it easier for businesses to pivot from bricks to clicks and set up a free online store during lockdown. Today, Facebook and Instagram have over 300 million monthly Shops visitors and over 1.2 million monthly active Shops globally.
Angie Bowen, owner of Angie’s Baby Cwtch, said: “Facebook has helped me get my business out there, especially during the pandemic, because people share it with their friends on Facebook and then it gets customers through the door. I also like that I can speak to people directly even if they can’t make it to the shop in person and help them with their queries that way. Hopefully this new window will be another way to keep people coming into the shop and even just brighten their days as they pass by.”
Debbie Griffiths, owner of Just Into Crafts, said: “I really missed seeing my customers during the pandemic and chatting to them in store but being able to stay in touch with them through Facebook helped me to maintain that connection. Since we’ve opened again, I can tell that some customers are coming in just for a chat because it’s been such a difficult time and I love to feel like I’m making a difference to them. I hope that the local community will continue to support me this summer and beyond, and that this new window will become a talking piece for the shop.”
Presenter and business owner, Maya Jama, has teamed up with Facebook and Instagram to launch the nationwide roll out of stunning shop windows as new research reveals that consumers are likely to shift away from shopping on their local high street as restrictions completely lift.
Despite 81% of people sharing a passion for supporting the businesses on their doorstep, and over two thirds (68%) citing this passion grew throughout the pandemic, more than half (55%) admit larger chains may creep in as time becomes limited (29%) and they are commuting to and from work again (21%).
Maya Jama said: “I’m really excited to be working with Facebook and Instagram on this campaign. As a business owner myself I’m immensely aware of the challenges so many of us have had to face and the headwinds that are still ahead of us as lockdown restrictions ease. We’ve seen a big shift in people’s shopping habits but one of the things I really hope will continue to grow is people’s support and willingness to help small local businesses. I think the shopper-stopper window displays will go a long way to help attract attention from local customers and encourage them to keep supporting small businesses across the UK.”
Alongside these beautiful new designs, Facebook is also rolling out a 1-1 mentoring programme in Llanelli. In addition, Facebook is running a national Boost programme with the goal of training over 300,000 UK businesses in digital skills by the end of the year.
Steve Hatch, Vice-President for Northern Europe, at Facebook, said: “We believe that small businesses deserve to be found, both on the high street and online through our free tools and personalised advertising. The past 16 months have been tough for small firms and many had to pivot to digital shops quickly so they could reach customers locally and further afield. These stunning window creations celebrate strong and resilient bricks and mortar shops who have used our technology to build their community. Our hope is that these transformations encourage people across the UK to continue supporting small businesses as things start to return to normal.”
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