Horowhenua StarLevin retailers are uniting. Times are tough, with the current recession looking to be longer and deeper than previous ones.
With Levin going through rapid changes and more coming, some retailers feel it’s time to get together, to help each other and create a united voice.
David James, left, and Stephen Feldon are hoping retailers will see the need for a local network group. Photo Janine Baalbergen
Stephen Feldon of Photo and Framed and David James of Local Flooring are pounding the pavements in the main shopping streets to drum up interest among shop owners and managers to form the Levin Retail Network.
“We want to support each other, share ideas, marketing tips and be a voice in the ongoing development retail in the town centre,” David says. “We have only just started and already have five expressions of interest.
“Levin has incredible potential and in the next decade there will be more people in Levin, more businesses with the expressway coming, and we need to be ready for this.”
He reckons that as a group, retailers would have more of a say in the future of the town.
“We can put our heads together and see, for example, what others do when business is quiet, for example,” David says. “I have learned a lot from Stephen already, who has been in business much longer than I have been.”
Stephen says the group would be “by and for retailers – we own it”.
He says retail can at times be a lonely business and he is hoping the group will provide inspiration and camaraderie.
“We can work through issues together and provide a collective voice. While there are other groups around that help businesses, retail has its own quirks and challenges. Together we can achieve more.”
The pair think independent business owners in particular would find a retailers association helpful, but franchisees and any other retail business are also welcome.
“We want to speak to the people who own or run the various stores in town. A store that has been around for 30 years has something to share, I’m sure.”
The proposed Levin Retail Network is for businesses with a street-front, and open to the general public.
For more information, call Stephen (027 3687456) or David (021 028 47343) or email levinretailersbusinessnetwork@gmail.com
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