Past few years I did lots of sale.
Not even being able to welcome customers and friends during the series of lock downs, attracting people with low prices seemed to be one of the few ways to get any cash coming in to pay the costs. I basically tried to cash the fabric/felt stash. Also I wanted to do something to show my gratitude for your trust in my products and support for demure.
It was a desperate measure during the extraordinary period and now that the things are going back to normal (except for all the political/economical challenges), I would also like to go back to my old price policies. I know that many retail businesses make most of money during sale periods but for me it is simply not sustainable.
I wrote in my past blogs but there are two ways retail prices are determined.
In case of ‘retail brands’ which buy stocks from wholesales/ factories and retail, including 'original brands which have dedicated ateliers’, the retail prices are typically calculated by multiplying the wholesale price by 2.7 to 3. That’s why the maximum discount at sale is often 70%, so the store still recovers the retail cost (with 1 as the wholesale price, 1.7/2 as the profit). Typically even at sales, retail brands do make some ‘profit’.
Meanwhile in case of ‘maker brands’ like demure, the price is often calculated by (material cost) + (maker’s wage). And from the maker’s wage, the makers pay costs such as rent. As I also calculate my price this way, continuing to have large discount is simply not sustainable as I need to earn costs as well as minimum for myself to live on.
This means it will be difficult for me to continue to offer the level of discounts from past few years and I am sincerely hoping that my customers will understand that. Meanwhile I will of course try my utmost to deliver the value for your hard earned money and make something of uniquely beautiful designs with high quality. I am fully aware that demure trades in trust in a form of head wears and it is my goal to always honour your trust.
It is rather sad that there is still so much sales going around all the time but I hope what I explained may have helped you to figure out how find businesses which sell something of true values, instead of products with so much profit margin which actually don’t bring YOU value but to the middlemen and the out-of-touch owners. Please shop from independent businesses, shop locally and shop directly from the makers! :)) (And watch out for those who say they appreciate craftmanship and they have ‘their ateliers somewhere else’ ;) They are effectively retailers who buy things from lower-waged people to sell on to you. Sorry but I had to say this.) Thank you for reading!
