Well here we are week 2 in the new world. A few interesting things happened last week. Apart from new products coming into the store, our new website went live with around 300 products from the current collection on line. Over the next few weeks more and more will be added so keep checking www.potassiumstore.co.uk
Also as part of our "THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL" philosophy, we are linking up with the Serpentine Gallery to partner on a new art initiative, focused on our local area. Art celebrating the rich history and diversity of the neighbourhood is something we are quite excited about. If you would like to participate, please contact us. The project is in the initial stages so this is a great time to influence and shape the projects evolution.
So the Season Final sale got off to a fine start on Thursday. Come 19:00 on the first day we were feeling a little parched and so KGB kicked in with customers shopping until 22:00
Sunday 19 August 2007
Monday 13 August 2007
green is the colour of money...
but not if you're from Sri Lanka, India or Bangladesh and you work for the Arcadia Group. So Sir Philip Green has been rumbled. This time it's not for his services to the British Empire or is it? Apparently an article in The Sunday Times (it is the Sunday papers you know!) on 12/8/07 reported that migrant workers in South Asia are being duped by agencies employed by Green's Arcadia Group with the promise of better wages for working in Mauritian factories. The report found that "better wages" amounted to less then £5.00 for a 12 hour work day 40% less than the average local wage. Of course Green (with envy) has vowed to investigate claims immediately.
This is not the first time Arcadia or any other major High Street brand has come under fire for unfair pay and conditions. But what can we really do about it and how can we create change? Time Out listed Potassium as one of the 10 most ethical retailers in an article in April 2007 and in the Time Out Shopping Guide commented on us "standing out" for our commitment to environmental and ethical sourcing.
Trust me this is not easy, particularly if you're a 20 month old business. In my previous life my corporate employers worked as much as they could to ensure that a fair price was paid for product and that working conditions were regulated. Having travelled to a few factories in my time, I was able to see first hand what my employers' endeavours tried to accomplish. Factory reports were filed, boxes checked, and random QC inspections undertaken. What it all boiled down to at the end however was the price and ultimately the margin after all that's what made the company work and ensured my pay check came regularly.
Now I'm in a different position completely. I haven't had a pay check since March 2005, but I am still committed to working fairly with our "partners." I always pay our invoices on time particularly where the vendor is an individual or new designer/business. I ask vendors for their policy on ethical and environmental sourcing (it's amazing how many people stumble in the first sentence on this one - which is always a sign) and I have been known to challenge a vendor or two on their pricing looking at it purely from the point of view of the customer - sure there's luxury but there's also blatant theft.
And the sustainable issue is an interesting one too. "Let's create a sustainable Eco-friendly, green, low carbon emission, recycled, thing!" So was the cry of many last year once they realised that green really is the colour of money. Strange though that when you really look at a "green" product it's quite often only partly so. Potassium has done limited product development but I am proud that our organic cotton tee-shirts are soil association certified, and that our soy candles are in a recyclable tin that arrive by sea not plane, and are made by an organisation that promotes a return to work for physically/mentally challenged individuals.
So what do you make of the whole Eco/fair trade vibe that's in the market. Are you prepared to pay a premium for product that is ethically and environmentally sourced, and which of the two are most important to you? Do you trust the High Street to deliver the goods in the right way and is green really the colour of money?
This is not the first time Arcadia or any other major High Street brand has come under fire for unfair pay and conditions. But what can we really do about it and how can we create change? Time Out listed Potassium as one of the 10 most ethical retailers in an article in April 2007 and in the Time Out Shopping Guide commented on us "standing out" for our commitment to environmental and ethical sourcing.
Trust me this is not easy, particularly if you're a 20 month old business. In my previous life my corporate employers worked as much as they could to ensure that a fair price was paid for product and that working conditions were regulated. Having travelled to a few factories in my time, I was able to see first hand what my employers' endeavours tried to accomplish. Factory reports were filed, boxes checked, and random QC inspections undertaken. What it all boiled down to at the end however was the price and ultimately the margin after all that's what made the company work and ensured my pay check came regularly.
Now I'm in a different position completely. I haven't had a pay check since March 2005, but I am still committed to working fairly with our "partners." I always pay our invoices on time particularly where the vendor is an individual or new designer/business. I ask vendors for their policy on ethical and environmental sourcing (it's amazing how many people stumble in the first sentence on this one - which is always a sign) and I have been known to challenge a vendor or two on their pricing looking at it purely from the point of view of the customer - sure there's luxury but there's also blatant theft.
And the sustainable issue is an interesting one too. "Let's create a sustainable Eco-friendly, green, low carbon emission, recycled, thing!" So was the cry of many last year once they realised that green really is the colour of money. Strange though that when you really look at a "green" product it's quite often only partly so. Potassium has done limited product development but I am proud that our organic cotton tee-shirts are soil association certified, and that our soy candles are in a recyclable tin that arrive by sea not plane, and are made by an organisation that promotes a return to work for physically/mentally challenged individuals.
So what do you make of the whole Eco/fair trade vibe that's in the market. Are you prepared to pay a premium for product that is ethically and environmentally sourced, and which of the two are most important to you? Do you trust the High Street to deliver the goods in the right way and is green really the colour of money?
virtual retail therapy...
so during this rather quiet time in w1 what have I been doing? well after a number of requests I've decided to change our magazine led website in to a good old fashioned shop. you can view the work in progress at www.potassiumstore.co.uk but please note that it's not quite "live" yet. thanks to all the friends and family who took a look and offered suggestions. if you'd like to comment please feel free to let me know your thoughts.
New product has started flowing through for the autumn winter season now, which we're calling at Potassium "Yoshiwara" The season is inspired by Japan but in our tradition we're giving it a modern twist. Yoshiwara an old suburb of Edo was know as the "pleasure city" which as we get closer to Christmas you'll see even more of at the store.
In the meantime I'm hoping our Season Finale sale which starts on 16/8/07 will clear the decks for our store transformation at the end of the month.
The new brand launch for the season is Rand Jeans. The little brother of Bitte Kai Rand, Rand Jeans uses the same luxury materials and fine detail associated with this Danish fashion institution. Jeans with Danish style sit alongside chunky cable knit jumpers and cardigans in a blend of alpaca and merino. As well as brilliant black (yes it's back and did it ever really ever go away?) the blue I'm calling Japanese Blue as well as great cowboy cut shirts in the softest cotton ever.
Well talk about flow, literally just arrived and out on the floor and selling already is the new range from Matt & Nat. I'm very excited about the new fabric they call Japanese Paper. This fabric that ages with time comes in a gloss finish in plum, blueberry, or coffee in two styles; Interpol and Vicious. These you have to see...
New product has started flowing through for the autumn winter season now, which we're calling at Potassium "Yoshiwara" The season is inspired by Japan but in our tradition we're giving it a modern twist. Yoshiwara an old suburb of Edo was know as the "pleasure city" which as we get closer to Christmas you'll see even more of at the store.
In the meantime I'm hoping our Season Finale sale which starts on 16/8/07 will clear the decks for our store transformation at the end of the month.
The new brand launch for the season is Rand Jeans. The little brother of Bitte Kai Rand, Rand Jeans uses the same luxury materials and fine detail associated with this Danish fashion institution. Jeans with Danish style sit alongside chunky cable knit jumpers and cardigans in a blend of alpaca and merino. As well as brilliant black (yes it's back and did it ever really ever go away?) the blue I'm calling Japanese Blue as well as great cowboy cut shirts in the softest cotton ever.
Well talk about flow, literally just arrived and out on the floor and selling already is the new range from Matt & Nat. I'm very excited about the new fabric they call Japanese Paper. This fabric that ages with time comes in a gloss finish in plum, blueberry, or coffee in two styles; Interpol and Vicious. These you have to see...
welcome to potassium
welcome to potassium...
OK so we could run you through all that we do but the fact that you've found this blog probably means that you've already come across us some where some time some how. If not check out http://www.potassiumstore.co.uk/
I decided to succumb and start writing because a number of friends have told me that I should and then another friend Crimson Girl (see http://www.crimsonclothes.com/) who has a fab shop in W2 showed me how to do it. So here I am ready to share with you all the elements that help me live.
OK so we could run you through all that we do but the fact that you've found this blog probably means that you've already come across us some where some time some how. If not check out http://www.potassiumstore.co.uk/
I decided to succumb and start writing because a number of friends have told me that I should and then another friend Crimson Girl (see http://www.crimsonclothes.com/) who has a fab shop in W2 showed me how to do it. So here I am ready to share with you all the elements that help me live.
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