Welcome to our Stockists Spotlight! It’s so great to have you! To begin, can you tell us a little bit about your business and what you do?
Like many people, during lockdown, we had a hard think about what made us happiest. For us, it was dogs, chatting to lovely people about dogs and surrounding ourselves with beautiful things.
Developing our dog-boutique, working together as sisters and finding we could be part of, and even build, a real community has been an absolute joy.
Dogs bring such joy into our lives and our little shop is full of carefully selected items that help celebrate this. Having a dog doesn’t mean everything has to be grey and practical - we seek out makers that use colour and fun - whether it is a handcrafted dog bowl or the perfect pair of boots to walk the dog (or to the pub) in!
What made you want to stock our Merry Boots?
We initially discovered Merry Boots through the magic of Instagram; it was fortuitous that a beautiful pair of Bobbi Boots popped up on Victoria’s feed (in between all of the cute dog content).
We had been looking to increase the ‘human’ part of our boutique, but none of the boots we had seen fulfilled our criteria: we wanted boots that were beautiful and practical - something that brings joy as you head out at 7am for yet another rainy walk. We were thrilled that Merry People were coming to the UK and we could be the first stockist here!
What’s a favourite customer story that comes to mind of someone purchasing a pair of our boots?
We did smile when a local flower farmer bought herself a pair (and was pretty thrilled). Then, later on, her mum came back for her own pair - having been told off as she kept borrowing her daughter's! It’s not the first time ‘borrowing’ someone’s Merry People boots has led to another purchase in store!
We have professional dog walkers, landscape gardeners, groomers and people like us that just have to walk the dog all the time, who now happily own Merry People boots in the local area.
We get lots and lots of positive feedback and customers wearing the boots to visit which is always a great sign!
With most of our stockists, there is usually a colour of Merry People boots in the store that is a favourite! Which one always gets the customers’ attention?
The Oxford Blue Bobbis are the most popular - perhaps they are the easiest to wear from field walks straight to the pub. But it is only just, the Beetroot and Mustard are a very close second. We have gorgeous raincoats for dogs that match the Mustard Bobbi Boots - which bring such joy on a grey day.
And we have just started stocking the Rust for summer, which Victoria firmly believes will soon be the new favourite!
What is the most encouraging advice you’ve received as a local business owner?
We’ve sought a lot of advice and feedback from other small and large business owners, but the most motivating is perhaps from customers themselves.
We have been told that coming into our shop is like popping in to see a friend. We love getting to know our customers and their dogs. We want the experience of chatting and trying on to be warm and memorable. Having a lovely community around our shop is fantastic; we get as much out of it as the customers. We want people to keep popping in to see us!
What are some must-visit places in your local area?
We would start on Newbold Comyn which provides an amazing amount of ‘wild’ just on the edge of town. You can even spot deer!
From Newbold you can stride through fabulous floral displays as Leamington’s finest parks all link up and it wouldn’t be Leamington without a stop at one of our awesome independent coffee houses - all dog-friendly and serving really good coffee.
Our boutique is on Park Street and is two minutes from the famous Jephson Gardens and surrounded by beautiful dog-friendly independent shops and eateries in amongst the Georgian buildings.
Come and visit and we can direct you to the best ones!
Follow Henderson Hound on Instagram or head to their website to shop their doggy delights!
Know a retailer in your area that’d be the perfect Merry People stockist? Let us know by emailing wholesale@merrypeople.com!
