At SureStore, we prioritise supporting local business owners with modern, purpose-built trade counters that offer a convenient and flexible solution to a wide range of growing businesses. Bella Marie Apparel, a retailer of women’s clothes, shoes and accessories, recently joined our supportive business community at SureStore Southport and has been going from strength to strength.
With years of experience in women’s fashion, beginning as a market stall owner before progressing to selling products online via social media, Bella Marie Apparel owner Kim recently decided to open a physical store and opened her first retail space with a glamorous opening launch party back in April, complete with a party marquee, gift bags, a DJ and plenty of prosecco.
We caught up with Kim for a quick chat about the benefits of choosing a trade counter at SureStore Southport for her business, “After running the business online for years, it now felt the best time to grow and open a physical premise. Customers often asked if Bella Marie had a shop they could pop into, and now we have a space where customers love to come and visit, browse through our rails and try items on before purchasing”.
Kim explained that one of the main advantages of being a trade counter business at SureStore Southport is the convenient location close to Kew Roundabout. The nearby amenities such as Tesco and Mcdonalds, along with a central location off the main Southport Rd mean there is plenty of footfall and it’s easy for customers to find and access. The trade counter can be seen from the road, which is currently being made two-way to improve access, and there’s plenty of free parking available.
When our SureStore customers choose a trade counter for their business, they are given a ‘blank canvas’ to adapt to suit the needs of the business. It also means they can customise the space to suit their brand and purpose, whether they need a showroom, salon or retail space. Before opening, Kim and her team installed false walls fitted with rails for their selection of garments along with freestanding rails.
Security is also a key factor when choosing any business location, and at SureStore we prioritise the safety of our business community at all times. As well as being able to install her own cameras inside the store, Kim explained she was “100% happy with the security at SureStore. The trade counter is alarmed, there is CCTV throughout the self-storage facility and I have no worries when I shut the door in the evening”
@bellamarieapparel Wow its been a long few weeks, but im finally happy with my shop what do we think ??? 20th of april is out opening, open 10-6 Dj & prosecco 12-6 in our marquee outside the shop 20% off on the day, 20 free little gift bags for the first 20 customers, come & join us #opeingday #fashion #getthelook #blazers #jumpsuits #bags #curve #belts #sunglases #dj #marquee #prosecco #southport #sliders @willowlove23 @PeterAmo13 @aishajade94 ♬ Kaos Dirty Wings – Kaos
Another main reason for choosing SureStore is the support of the self-storage team. Before signing for the trade counter, Kim was a business storage customer keeping her online inventory in one of our secure self-storage units. The team assisted her through every step of the process when upscaling her business and transitioning to the customer-facing trade counter. As online sales and sales at the physical store increase and Bella Marie Apparel grows, there’s also the opportunity to get another self-storage unit to suit the requirements of the business. The self-storage experts at SureStore are also on hand to accept any deliveries on behalf of your business.
When we asked Kim why she chose SureStore over a high street location she’d been considering in Liverpool, the reasons were clear: “It was a no-brainer really, everything is included in the one bill. That easy-to-manage payment is a massive benefit for Bella Marie, especially as we’ve moved the business from being solely online to also having a physical store, so there are now overheads we didn’t have. When looking at high street locations, the overheads were just too much, but at SureStore Southport everything from the electricity to the WiFi is included in the monthly payment!”
You can purchase any of the fabulous garments, shoes and accessories at Bella Marie Apparel online via their Instagram @Bella_marie_apparel and Facebook
You can also follow the store on Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@bellamarieapparel
Are you interested in renting a SureStore trade counter for your business? Find your nearest self-storage location.