R.14 x The Industry Fashion

Last year was certainly unusual. I started like everyone else, shut for the first three months, so as bad as it could be! I’m a one man band, so I was relying on insufficient grant amounts, though at least I qualified for the grants which was better than some. The website ticked along in lockdown, then from reopening in April to early July business was okay. It wasn’t breaking any records, but I was able to pay bills and make a living.

I then completely relocated the store in July, moving from Ashton-under-Lyne to Upper Mill, and the change was night and day. I went from ticking along nicely to being nice and busy. I had a really good Christmas and New Year. Being on my own, I do it all. I’m on the shop floor, I deal with the website and online sales and I do the social media. Revenue-wise I’ve always been predominantly driven by instore sales. In fact, 90% of my turnover still comes from instore, with 10% online. However, going in to this year, the spare cash I have will go in to a new website to really drive some more revenue online. I’m extremely positive about this year.

"Going in to this year, the spare cash I have will go in to a new website to really drive some more revenue online. I’m extremely positive about this year."

Rowan Hines - Owner

I went on Sale on 27 December. I always hold my nerve, despite others now going pre-Christmas. I normally go on Boxing Day, but I waited for other businesses in Upper Mill to get involved. I’ve been in business for 16 years now, so I’ve got a definite idea of who my consumer is and what brands they’re after from me. Fred Perry, Dickies and Selected Homme all work really well for me, and I’ve done well with a new brand addition, Bike Shed, which is based in Shoreditch. We also do well with a brand called WAWWA out of Manchester, as well as Martial Artist and Saucony – always both strong performers.

Going in to 2022 is very much about elevating the business and adding new brands. I’ve got three new brands coming in this year which I’m really happy with, Berghaus, Rains and Deus Ex Machina. So far, so good, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.