Central Retail Property Consultants’ Post

Happy B Corp Month! 🌍 This March marks 1 year since Cooper Parry became a B Corp. Our Sustainability team is always developing strategies, educating the wider business and making sure our ESG is in line with our B Corp commitment. Meaning we can keep moving forward. The team have asked CPers all to make a pledge - quick wins for me are using less energy at home and and walking (rather than driving) to the train station! One example of a #bcorpcertified company making a difference is Thrift+ My pledge having used them and being in impressed with the platform, I am going to clear out my closet at home and sell old unwanted clothing donating to their designated charities. Can anyone else think of any good examples of other #bcorps out there making a positive impact in an innovative way? Perhaps you're one yourself? Please list them in the comments https://thrift.plus/men #BCorp #BCorpMonth #Sustainability #Green #esgstrategy #esgreporting

This year we are beyond excited to welcome onboard a very special brand new partner for the Aurora Mirror Ball- LVMH ! 🪩✨ Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE or more commonly known as LVMH, are the world leader in luxury. We're talking Bulgari, Dior, Tiffany & Co., Veuve Clicquot, even the king of champagne Dom Pérignon! and so, so much more. In fact LVMH has a total of 75 Maisons, all being held to the highest level of quality and a set of shared values. LVMH's four fundamental values inspire excellence and are their pillars for long-terms success, including to ✨Be Committed to Positive Impact✨ This value not only entails ensuring sustainability throughout the entire ecosystem of their products, how they're made, and where they operate, but extends far beyond that Defending LGBTIQ+ rights and the "fight against all forms of discrimination, including based on sexual orientation and gender identity" is a long standing commitment of LVMH! "Since 2019, our Inclusion Index has listed over 190 LGBTI+ inclusion-focused initiatives led by our Maisons, aligned with their DNA, sector and geographies. " Aurora is extremely honoured to be partnered with LVMH for this year's Aurora Mirror Ball as we all work together to create more equitable opportunities for our LGBTIQ+ communities! There are ONLY 50 TICKETS LEFT for the Aurora Mirror Ball! Be sure to snap yours up today https://loom.ly/eKrpJYk [ID: a black graphic with silver foil boarders on the right and left side. A black and white photo at the top from Aurora Ball history, white text overlaid and the LVMH logo in the centre of the graphic]

In the ever-shifting landscape of finance and investments, where the tides of inflation dictate the ebb and flow of wealth, and the winds of market turmoil blow, certain commodities emerge as steadfast anchors in the storm. Among these hallowed treasures, diamonds, and gold stand out today as guards against economic uncertainty. With demand, the value can truly fly off. Consider for instance, the legendary 59.60-carat Pink Star diamond, a rare and exquisite gem that fetched a staggering $71.2 million at auction in 2017. Such monumental sales not only underscore the enduring appeal of diamonds as investments but also highlight the allure of exceptional natural specimens with their unparalleled rarity and beauty.   Gold and diamonds are not only representing the financial wealth. In the world of fashion, diamonds are not mere accessories; they are reflecting aspiration, as symbols of unbridled luxury and timeless elegance. And thanks to a industrial production, synthetic diamonds have emerged as the crown jewels of a new era. With their flawless clarity and mesmerizing brilliance, these ethically crafted gems have captured the imagination of designers and connoisseurs alike, carving out a niche at the intersection of luxury.   Believe it or not, the journey started in the rough halls (at the time) of Stockholm's ASEA lab, at Götgatan 16. Guided by the visionary zeal of Baltzar von Platen, and later supported by Halvard Leander, Erik G. Lundblad, and Fritz Wallin, the alchemy of high-pressure technology managed to copy the natural process of diamonds creation. Fast forward through the annals of time, and synthetic diamonds have transcended the confines of laboratory walls to grace the necks, ears, and wrists of the fashion elite. No longer tethered to the whims of geology, these ethically crafted gems shimmer with a brilliance unmatched, adorning the couture creations of the avant-garde and the red-carpet royalty alike. The true advantage of synthetic diamonds lies in their democratization of luxury, allowing anyone with a discerning eye and a flair for style to indulge in the timeless elegance of diamonds. When we buy our gems now, we just need to know the difference….  

Creating functional and beautiful categorised systems for my client’s clothing in Witham, Essex 💫 The vision for my client was to have an edited and curated wardrobe of all her garments. The focus being that her clothing suited her current lifestyle and the new systems could be easily maintained. My client was very decisive and we filled over 16 sackfuls of clothing & shoes for charitable donations in 2 sessions. Finally, I was let loose to categorise, sort, fold and organise her walk-in-wardrobe and large dresser, where she stores her underwear, PJ’s and gym wear. My client’s items are now easily accessible and visible! Plus there is still plenty of room to incorporate any additional items. I enjoy introducing functional and practical storage systems to manage my clients clothing dilemmas, that are easy to maintain and support their daily lifestyles! If you need my help to create beautifully organised spaces in your home, please DM me for a free discovery call. I’d love to hear from you, Elizabeth 🌸 Let’s Get Organised Together! #wardrobedetox #wardrobedeclutter #wardrobeorganising #wardrobestylist #wardrobestyling #shelfstyling #shelf #shelfiegoals #sortingclothes #foldingclothes #folding #womenswardrobe #wardrobeorganisation #wardrobeedit #wardrobeorganiser #decluttering #declutter #organised #transformation #storagesolutions #storageideas #storagegoals #beforeafter #organiseyourlife #organiseyourhome #thelifestyleorganiser #storagetips #storageideasforsmallspaces #practicalsolutions

What a heartwarming gesture from Shaquille O'Neal! His act of kindness in gifting this teenager 20 pairs of custom-made shoes is truly remarkable. At Shoes That Fit, we understand the significance of properly fitting shoes and how often they are taken for granted. This act hits home for all of us because it highlights the profound impact that well-fitted shoes can have on a person's life. For many individuals, especially those with larger or unusual foot sizes, finding shoes that fit comfortably and properly can be a significant challenge. Ill-fitting shoes can lead to discomfort, pain, and even serious foot problems. Moreover, the lack of appropriate footwear can affect one's confidence and sense of well-being. By generously providing custom-made shoes to someone in need, Shaq is not only addressing a practical necessity but also uplifting their spirits and enhancing their quality of life. This act exemplifies the power of empathy and the positive ripple effects of giving back to our communities. At Shoes That Fit, we want every child to have access to properly fitting shoes, regardless of their circumstances. We believe that everyone deserves to walk comfortably and confidently through life. Shaq's gesture serves as a poignant reminder of the difference we can make when we come together to support one another. Let's take a moment to appreciate Shaq's kindness and reflect on how we can all contribute to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. 👟✨ #ShoesThatFit #KindnessMatters #MakingADifference https://lnkd.in/gXKh6qa4

Hey there, wedding season is in full swing and if you're in the market for bridal and engagement gifts, you've come to the right place! 👰💍 At ThreadsZeppelin, we take personalized gifting to the next level. 🎁 Whether you're looking for a customized piece of jewelry or a unique keepsake, we've got you covered. With our wide range of options, you can find the perfect gift that truly reflects the couple's style and personality. But what sets us apart from the rest? Here are a few reasons why ThreadsZeppelin is the number one destination for all your wedding and engagement gifting needs: 1️⃣ Quality craftsmanship: Our products are crafted with utmost attention to detail, ensuring that every piece is of the highest quality. When you choose ThreadsZeppelin, you can be confident that you're gifting something that will stand the test of time. 2️⃣ Personalization at its finest: We specialize in creating personalized gifts that truly make an impact. From monogrammed jewelry to customized home decor, we offer a wide range of options to make each gift feel extra special and unique. 3️⃣ Trendy and unique options: We stay up to date with the latest trends in the wedding industry, so you can always find something fresh and exciting at ThreadsZeppelin. Whether it's a unique twist on a classic design or a completely new concept, we've got the perfect gift to impress the couple. 4️⃣ Giving back to the community: We are proud to be a minority-owned, female-led business that believes in making a positive impact. That's why we donate a portion of our proceeds to selected charities, so your purchase not only brings joy to the couple but also helps support important causes. So why settle for ordinary when you can give the extraordinary? Shop with us at ThreadsZeppelin for all your bridal and engagement gifting needs and make a lasting impression. 🌟💖 #WeddingGifts #EngagementGifts #PersonalizedGifts #BridalGifts #ShopLikeARockstar #GiftLikeARebel #ThreadsZeppelin Remember, ThreadsZeppelin is a proud minority-owned, female-led business that donates back to selected charities. As a cutting-edge online destination for trendy apparel and custom products, ThreadsZeppelin invites you to Shop Like a Rockstar, Gift Like a Rebel. [Link to the website: https://lnkd.in/gMe8r3Gs]

Recently we held a wonderful event and raised £7,000!! Truthfully, every single penny is really needed. The event looks glamorous and yes it was - beautiful clothes, wonderful community of women and an incredible setting at Danesfield House Hotel and Spa. Behind all the glitz and glam though, what we do is simple, we empower women back into work through interview coaching and dressing. I'm extremely proud to be their EDI Trustee. This is about helping women regain their confidence and remind them of their self worth. Yes we do help a large proportion of women from under represented groups but contrary to popular belief, these issues effect all of us to some degree at some point in our lives 💥 When you feel like that, you need someone who is in your corner and is willing you to succeed and that's what we do! The ripple effect of a woman getting a job can't be underestimated - the positive impact on her family, her local community and ultimately her dignity and self worth is huge. Our service genuinely changes lives. 📌 This is a personal plea to any Thames Valley / Berkshire / Hampshire / Oxfordshire based businesses who would like to know more about what we do and support women - we need more funds to reach more women - no matter how big or small. The need has never been greater. If you're in an organisation and responsible for the CSR policy, involved in EDI and want to help your local community, then I'd love to talk to you. Thanks so much the wonderful world of LinkedIn 🙏🏾 #careercoaching #interviewpreparation #jobsearchstrategies https://buff.ly/3yaJBme

🌟 Are You Giving Accessories the Attention They Deserve? 🌟 Accessories like belts, scarves and costume jewellery are a golden opportunity that often gets overlooked by charity retailers: These seemingly small items can pack a punch in terms of online retail value, and here's why you should pay them extra attention: Universal Appeal: High-value accessories are versatile and often suitable for all shapes, sizes, and genders. They transcend fashion boundaries, making them attractive to a wide audience. Unearth Hidden Gems: Some of the most valuable items are often hiding in plain sight. By carefully assessing donated accessories, charity retailers can discover treasures that might otherwise be missed. Top tip: Arm yourself with a bright light and a magnifying glass to spot hidden branding and make sure that fine jewellery is assessed by an expert! Profitable Online Sales: The online market for preloved accessories is thriving. Belts and scarves are perfect for online resale, offering a convenient way for buyers to enhance their wardrobe. I regularly sell accessories on eBay, and I'm here to share my expertise. Get in touch if you're a charity retailer looking to dive into the world of selling preloved clothing online! #SustainableFashion #CharityRetail #OnlineResale #FashionResale #eBaySeller #PrelovedClothing

Gugguu Oy, a very cool Finnish kids wear brand, has joined forces with Ninyes to offer a world class resale service for their discerning customers. The new Gugguu Preloved service let’s you trade-in your used Gugguu’s and turn them into new, or pre-loved, items super easily. What makes this a bit more interesting news is that Gugguu is one of the first clothing brands in the world who are changing from their previous resale solution into a new one. Being in the forefront of resale, Gugguu launched their first pre-loved service 2,5 years ago and offered a P2P solution for their customers. As consumers are learning more about second hand and resale, they also require more from second hand services. With a P2P resale service most work is left for the consumers where as a fully managed resale service, such as Ninyes, takes the burden of the consumers as all they have to do is to pack and ship. With Ninyes being also a so called buy-back model, it’s not just the easiness of the process, but also the fact that the consumers need not to wait for their compensation. Unlike other second hand services, with the Ninyes system, they get their vouchers almost immediately. So a big welcome to Gugguu and welcome everybody to experience the easiness of second hand 3.0. PS: You can now buy some very special Gugguu Preloved items (considering you have small children, small grand children or, in fact, are a small child yourself🥰) from the Räikkönen family wardrobes. Minttu Räikkönen, one of the owners of Gugguu, has selected some wonderful treasures previously worn by the Räikkönen children. Click here to see the collection: https://lnkd.in/dvjgQeZa #circularfashion #resale

6 years ago today I started Franklin Morrow with a goal of providing high quality socks at an affordable price. That goal is the same today as it was then. However, many other aspects of the company have changed. The biggest change is our business model. We started off selling our own designs online and at markets with new designs being dropped every several months. 6 years later and we no longer attend markets as a vendor and a majority of the work we do at Franklin Morrow involves custom socks for clients all around the world. We still provide our own designs to our customers, but a majority of our socks go to organizations to help them better market their brand and reward their membership. It’s funny, because when I first began, custom socks were not on my radar. It all started when I was a vendor at the Moonlight Market in downtown Columbus, Ohio and a CEO of a major national association that was in town for a conference stopped by my booth and started a conversation around custom branded socks for his organization. Four weeks later he had his custom branded socks in his hands and as they say the rest is history. To date we’ve worked with hundreds of clients across the world to produce branded socks for their organizations. The next big change is our team. I began the company by myself and worked many late nights and early mornings to grow the company. While the late nights and early mornings really haven’t changed, I knew I needed some more help to grow in areas where my knowledge lacked. We now have a sales team, a graphic designer, and an assistant to keep us all on track. Our last major change comes in the form of how we handle our donation socks. Each custom branded sock client gets to choose where their donation socks are sent. While most let us choose where the socks go, I am happy to say that we now work with donation centers in 10 states and have the chance to help homeless shelters that we otherwise would not have been able to. We’ve had good and bad days at Franklin Morrow, just like any business, but thankfully the good greatly outweigh the bad. We’ve built so many great memories from road trips to deliver 5,000 pairs of branded socks in time for an event, flights to Las Vegas for sock conventions (yes they exist), and being invited to speak at conferences about the work we are doing. It’s hard to believe we are where we are today. I can happily say that last year was our best year yet. All of that is due to friends, family, and customers helping us spread the word about our work and mission. I know it is cliche to say I couldn’t have done this without you, but it’s entirely true. Thank you for your support the last 6 years. I look forward to what is to come for Franklin Morrow in the years ahead.