home shopping

[sonia]

Hi
Just wanting to research the market for home shopping...would anyone be interested in a home shopping/private party idea? i have a childrens wear shop and was thinking of starting a home shopping service, where i turn up at your house when someone is expecting a baby and allow you and your friends to buy gifts...good if you live on the outskirts of my area and can't make it to the shop itself and fancy spoiling the mum-to-be...is there a lucrative market for this do you think?

I'd be interested to know your thoughts....

Sonia.

[fastfences]

Hi Sonia,
Not for me. When we have another child, we would much prefer browsing through the High St. stores rather than feel an 'obligation' to purchase under 'party plan.'
Certainly, there is a place for your service - it will be interesting to note further responses.
Cheers, Nigel

[Hayles]

I think it could be a goer! Obviously you need to target your choice of mums based on the price of your products.

I tried party plan for toys and clothes many years ago and it worked ok (just wasn't organised enough to keep going I think!).

I think lots of mums with young children enjoy the chance of getting together for coffee and to spend some money at the same time (well they used to). Having a stand at Christmas and Summer fayres at infant/junior schools would be good too - offer to pay a one off fee or a commission based on your sales.

Good luck :D

[Jayne]

Hi Sonia,

My mother used to do Toy parties on an evening, she did really well with them. I say go for it :D

Jayne

[sonia]

hi thanks for your advice&support, it is definately an idea i will develop, i guess it's got 2 chances! and if i'm using my existing stock, i won't be out of pocket really.

Excellent! It's nice to speak to people who have a shared interest, not all of my friends want to listen to me prattling on!

Cheers!
Sonia.

[sazzledazzle]

I would say that this would be a good idea. I have been thinking along the same lines with my art and interior items. At the end of the day, if you have the stock already the only thing it will cost you is your time, plus you dont want to hear of someone else being successful with the same idea in your area in the future. Give it a go and if it does not work, you have only lost your time, not cash. Plus its a great way of advertising your shop, I would monitor how many people come to your shop after the party.

[SillyJokes]

I suppose, at 40, I feel I have moved on from buying toys at a coffee morning. I do enjoy jewellery evenings though. Any excuse to go to someone's house and drink wine.

But it made me think that jewellery, tupperware, anne summers may have a wider home party market because women of any age can enjoy these whilst toys are perhaps more focused on those with young kids which is a smaller range of people.

[mrs•E]

Hi
This is one of my ideas I was hoping to get together when I start up. At the moment I am looking into selling baby and childrens wear throught ebay and expanding into doing baby showers and clothes parties. As mentioned above, women and mums love to get together for a chat and clothes shopping at the same time is just great.
I would have certainly done it when I was pregnant and would do now as for my children.