Posted on Leave a comment

A sense of transition

Life this last week of 2023 has been filled with transitions and transformations.  Those who follow along on social media will already know we have been busy moving the office into the dining room and turning the former office room into a stock room.  We are almost halfway to funding our last major purchase thanks to your post Christmas orders, and although it’s still a bit cluttered, the space is really going to make us more efficient in processing your online orders.

The new office in a corner of our dining room needs a bit more attention, and we are trying to manage with a stack of stock tubs still sitting in the kitchen.  They need to move before tonight!

We have been happy dancing all over the place with every ‘kerching’ from an order landing.  Today (31/12/23) is the last day to shop from our 30% off sale, and we still have quite a lot for you to choose from.  How about some glass baubles or tractors for your Christmas tree next year, or a light up house or church for your mantle?  We also have a lovely deer tea light holder which would make an amazing table centrepiece.

Our next parcel collection is booked for Tuesday morning and I’m sure I will find time over the next 24 hours to pack orders as we celebrate the dawn of a New Year quietly at home.

All that’s left to say is we wish you a very peaceful and joyous New Year, and hope to be happy dancing to your orders in 2024.

Cari and family behind The UK Christmas Store

 

Posted on

This may not have been my best idea…

It’s the long summer holidays here in the UK, meaning I have more time on my hands than usual as I’m not working my ‘day job’ running the out of school club. I, like the rest of the staff, really look forward to this time each year for a much needed recharge. It also gives me time to plan out our busy season, the run up to Christmas.

As my degree is now complete, I have more weekends to fill with event bookings, so I’m busy looking for new Fayres and markets we can book in to, as well as considering other sales avenues. Since 2021 I’ve been working on increasing online orders, but it’s a slow process.
Building a website isn’t the hard part (although it feels like it some days).  Getting it seen amongst all the other small business websites out there is a bit like setting up a stall in an empty field in the middle of the North York Moors or the beautiful Dales, and screaming at the top of your lungs for customers.  That’s how I signed up for selling on Amazon.

It’s a chunk of money to pay each month for the privilege with no guarantee it’s going to lead to sales.  I was ok with giving it a go until I tried to sign into my seller account, and a glitch (I hope) started sending me round in circles.  As a business run on iPads and phones, I’m concerned this may be causing the issue, but it’s given me a headache so I’ve stepped away from it for now (will try again later).

Have I made a big mistake thinking this would help our small business?  Will I ever get access to our seller account?  Does anyone else have any advice having done this themselves?

Please send help (and chocolate – that’s always welcome!)

Cari xx