‘Women still want to look and feel nice’

The Instagram post reads: “It’s business as usual for us online (as much as it can be). We received Government confirmation that it’s OK to keep trading online as long as we can implement strict fulfilment social distancing. We miss each other a lot though. But it’s all for a good cause. #WeAreInThisTogether #ShopSmall #ShopLocal #ShopIrish.”

“We felt that people might feel we were wrong to be still selling and yes, shopping and clothes may seem trivial in the midst of what is going on, but our followers asked us to keep going. They wanted the distraction so we are continuing to post pictures on our social media.”

From Cork city originally, Kate now lives on a dairy farm with her husband and children in Whitescross, Co Cork.

Kate says that although there is no change on the farming front, the boutique is a different story. With six people employed, the sisters were not going to take any risks with people’s health and so were one of the first to close. However, their online sales continue.

“My sister Joy and I opened Vanilla 12 years ago. The boutique is for everyone and for everyday, but we would be known for occasion wear too.

“People travel from all over to get their Communion and Confirmation outfits from us. This is usually our busiest season, even over Christmas. It is a big hit for us. We are buying all the time, we don’t go season by season, we buy small and often. I think that this is what you have to do. When you are in a town and people are popping in regularly, you need to keep it fresh.

“We are doing most of the photographs at home and I am going to our click and collect store once a week to wrap and post out orders. We can wrap and pack at home too and the couriers will collect from outside the house. I am being positive that this won’t last too long and we can get our baby (the store) back open and give the girls back their jobs.

Kate says that they are trying to adapt, working day by day as it is changing so fast. As an example of her adaptability, she has now taken to modelling the stock herself. Although she claims she is “no model”, the pictures show she is doing a great job, even using the farm (and the farmer) as props.

“We were originally selling mostly jeans and casual stuff but now we are seeing a change. Customers are saying; yes we are at home, but it’s not forever and they want that nice dress. Women still want to look nice and feel good with something new.

“I am really feeling the local support. People messaging us and encouraging us to keep going. I am hoping that the shop local mantra remains once this is all over.”

The Department of Business has confirmed to Retail Excellent that non-essential retailers could continue to operate online. However, retailers can only continue to fulfil online orders on the basis of the following:

For more information on Vanilla Boutique and to browse items available see its website here.

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