Switch Shop

Name of Shop:Switch Shop

Location: SCANDICCI (FLORENCE)- ITALY

Age of Shop (years trading): 8

Brands Stocked:INSIGHT,VANS,NIKESB,ADIDAS SKATEBOARDING,OBEY,STUSSY,WESC,HUF,SHWOOD,OAKLEY,SMITH,WEMOTO,HERSCHEL

Website/Social media platform:WWW.SWITCHSHOP.IT , facebook,twitter,tumblr,vimeo,instagram 

Switch Shop is an Italian store that has in-store art exhibitions and art shows, projects of industry related videos and services that link to a surf and snow camp.

 How do you use social media to you advantage to promote your store?

WE USE PHOTOS, GRAPHICS AND NEWS TO INTRIGUE THE CUSTOMERS

What is your best selling accessory category?

WOODEN SUNGLASSES AND PHONE COVER

What percentage of your sales are from online business (from your website) compared to your in-store sales?

WE HAVE A WEBSITE WITH ONLINE BUSINESS. IT IS VERY YOUNG AT THIS MOMENT… ABOUT 10%.

What are the benefits of having a physical shop over simply having an online store?

IN THE PHYSICAL SHOP, YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SELL YOUR PASSION

What makes your store different and in what ways does your store excel beyond your competition?

WE PERSONALLY TEST ALL OF OUR PRODUCTS AND THIS GIVES US THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE HELP AND ADVICE TO OUR CUSTOMERS WITH OUR KNOWLEDGE AS REFERENCE. 

What trends do you see upcoming?

THE TREND IS THE EVOLVED STREETWEAR AND WITH TECHNICAL PRODUCTS IT IS ALL ABOUT THE QUALITY

What kind of advice can you give other independent retailers who are trying to compete against the big megastores?

THE INDEPENDENT DEALER SHOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM BIG MEGASTORES BY SEARCHING FOR NEW BRANDS AND THE RELATIONSHIP OF TRUST AND CONFIDENCE THAT YOU CREATE WITH THE CUSTOMER IN THE INDEPENDANT STORES.

Which up and coming brands do you hope to stock in the future?

WE ARE LOOKING TO BRING IN STORE BRAND EXCLUSIVES BUT SOMETIMES NOT EASY DEPLOYMENT HERE IN EUROPE

What are you doing to pull people into your store?

I TRY TO INVOLVE MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE; ORGANISE PRESENTATIONS OF BRANDS, PROJECTIONS OF VIDEO, ART EXHIBITIONS AND IN ADDITION I OFFER MANY SERVICES AS A SURF AND SNOWBOARD SCHOOL. PLUS OTHER BUSINESS COLLABORATIONS WITH SURF AND SNOW CAMPS.

What have been the best three selling categories for you in the last 12 months?

APPAREL, SHOES AND SURF

Please tell us of any upcoming initiatives your shop has planned? (events, signings, re-vamps etc…)

SOON WE WILL HAVE AN IN STORE ART SHOW “FISSH ONION” OF OUR FRIEND / RIDER: YARI CAVA. ALSO WE ARE BRINGING FORWARD SOME PROJECTS WITH A BRANDS BUT NOW IS TOO EARLY TO REVEAL THEM