Amazing New Intiative in 2011
Notinashop.com
Active Interiors aims to set up a sister company Not in a Shop in 2011. It will be a unique online shopping experience for customers who wish to buy something unique and design led. It will also promote recycling ethics and British made as issues important in a commercial transaction.
As a brand it will be what it says on the tin: Not in a Shop. You will not readily find these items on the high street. I suppose we're aiming to give a commercial step up for the art and design cottage industry.
So how will this all work?
I suppose it will be more of a cohesive, professional Etsy which I find a little random and unregulated. We shall be inviting artists and artisans who want to sell their creations more on a serious commercial level to join the Not in a Shop community. We shall also be inviting retailers who have suitable products from wholesale suppliers to join us. Each member will have their own space in this unique shopping mall, which they can up date and control. It will be easy to use.
We shall mastermind the community with well tried and tested online marketing strategies and regular publicity opportunities. We shall also be managing the technology.
What kind of products are we looking for?
It's really important that the products satisify at least one of the the following criteria although more than one is ideal: ethical or Fair Trade, eco, design or art led, individually produced, British made. In the first instance we would want products which we consider marketable. This means that it should be a product that we consider would sell online and which is affordable, value for money. This does not mean cheap. It means that you do not price yourself out of the market.
What kind of people do we want in the Not in a Shop community ?
We want creative people who might not have the know how or the money to sell their products successfully online. We have been doing this since 2006 and understand the time, effort and money required to compete with the more exclusive online stores such as Harrods even beasts like Ebay and Amazon. It is possible but you have to understand and pay for the technology and the marketing. It is also a full time job.
We want people who are serious about selling their products on a more commercial level rather than producing items merely for pleasure or as a hobby.
We want to invite individuals who are organised and will give a commitment to selling their gorgeous creations and updating their individual store. This opportunity is not really for individuals who do not really mind whether their work sells or not. It is a commercial enterprise.
We shall invite individuals to apply and if we feel that you are serious and have the right product, then we would be really excited to work with you. After that the sky's the limit.
