This Monocle briefing is a fantastic insight into small retailers (not unlike ourselves).Click here to view.
Globally this is an exciting trend.
In New Zealand it seems that we are obsessed with growth and global domination. We feel that to have a successful business it must have scale; Obviously businesses need to be profitable to be relevant but sometimes I think we forget that a small business can still be a great business.
Retail has (apparently) been under extreme pressure to survive in the last two – three years, a combination of a Global recession and the advances in on line shopping. These are pertinent factors but I cannot agree exclusively.
I think that small exciting businesses that are focused on their customer’s needs and experiences who are passionate about the products they make and sell will always flourish.
It buoys me to know that I am not alone in that view; there are great businesses everywhere you look. They may be roasting coffee or making chocolates, producing ice blocks, beautiful candles or clothes.
In recent years we have become used to making sustainable choices that benefit the environment, are ethically correct or organically valid. It is cool to have a social conscience.
I think that we can all benefit from supporting small businesses and making the choice to buy their products. Products that have a story, are made by hand in a place, that is close to where you live, by someone you may know or who knows a friend of a friend you know.
We can still get our consumable fix from technological behemoths like Apple but in our daily lives the soap we wash with, the food we eat and the linen we sleep on can all be bought in a way that helps create a vibrant “slow economy” made up of like minded people doing something they love and still making a living.
It doesn’t have to be about spending more, it’s about choosing where to spend it.
We have been repeatedly asked for optical frames and are pleased to be stocking a very limited selection of Kirk Originals opticals in-store and online. "The Optical Collection” was initially launched to complement the brand's ever popular sunglasses. It is inspired by trailblazers from the Golden Age of Advertising and references icons such as Georgie...
Read more
We are thrilled to be open in Ponsonby and have our second door in Auckland. Located at 271 Ponsonby Road, the store represents an evolution of our offer from purely suit-centric to a becoming a complete lifestyle brand for men. With this new and expanded range we have showcased our concept of what a modern...
Read more
Founder Murray Crane caught up with Awling and discussed all things menswear, New Zealand’s approach to it and why he’s so fond of handcrafted goods. Read a shortened copy below or visit Awling to read to full interview. Hi Murray, thanks for finding some time to speak to us. Let’s start with getting some background on yourself. Where...
Read more