Booming online jewellery sales has led an Angus entrepreneur to go back to bricks and mortar with a new shop in Carnoustie.
Caroline Smith has been trading in unusual jewellery items for almost two decades, mainly online, but also at Christmas markets throughout the UK.
She said Quirky Keepsake Gifts in Queen Street, which opened yesterday, would not only give customers a chance to examine items in person but act as a store for her online business.
She said: “The internet side of the business has grown to such an extent that we needed bigger premises for storage and work areas. This brought with it the opportunity to open a shop.
“A jewellery purchase can be a very tactile experience and having a retail unit will allow people to come in and see the products first hand and speak to us directly about them.
“We will have three or four employees at the new site and the move has also allowed us to have everything at one location. Currently, some aspects of the business, such as mail order and manufacturing, are dealt with in various locations.”
Ms Smith hopes the move will enable the firm to double internet sales and become better known in the local area.
She added: “Our online sales are domestic and international, with America proving to be a good market, but ultimately we are getting back to local.”
jimillar@thecourier.co.uk