Kelly Jamieson: 3 Tips For Tough Times

For many bush businesses, it’s been a tough year. Buy From The Bush has been reaching out to retail and small business gurus to ask for specific and actionable insights to share with our community.

Kelly Jamieson created Edible Blooms, an online gifting platform in 2005. in 2024, an Edible Blooms gift arrives on a door step as frequently as every 2 minutes. The multi-award-winning company is a former Telstra Australian Small Business of the Year and Kelly was also named South Australian Telstra Business Woman of the Year in 2009. Google her for a more comprehensive bio.

Kelly kindly shares with BFTB her top 3 tips in tough times with regional retail in mind. Hope it helps...

1. Customer First

Focus on your great customers. Service at mega amazing levels! Add value where you can to incentivise sales - offer free gift wrapping / a small bonus gift with purchases / a voucher with each sale they can use for their next purchase.

2. Collaborate

Partner with other business owners around you to bring your community together. Co-host a Winter Warmer shopping event with wine or drinks showcasing a local provider. Everyone wins!

3. Newness

Buy small batches of new stock regularly rather than bigger indents to keep your offering fresh and interesting and continually re merchandise to keep your store looking great for regulars to discover.

Kelly, when things are tough, is there anything you let go of or set aside until things pick up?

In tough times you may have less buyers so make those you have better and bigger! Quality customers will carry you through so what can you do to add extra service, love and attention to every single person who walks through your door? Nothing else matters!