Sales boom for some stallholders at Eisteddfod

 

Sales boom for some stallholders at Eisteddfod

Some stallholders are reporting booming sales at this year's National Eisteddfod despite the cost of living rising.With a stall in Boduan, Gwynedd, costing thousands of pounds to rent, some small businesses said they have been happy with the outcome.One stallholder said she has had to restock her products every night.However, not all stallholders said they had enjoyed such a good week.

Daloni Owen, from Tudweiliog on the Llŷn Peninsula in Gwynedd, owns Cwt Tatws (Potato Hut) and is a regular at the Eisteddfod.She started her business 14 years ago selling coffee, clothes, shoes and interiors. and began selling her products from a 500-year-old potato shed at her family farm.

The former S4C journalist started without any business plan or experience and when it business began becoming successful, she built a shed close to the original one.Ms Owen said: "I have five children and I wanted to be home more with them and spend more time in my area."It's been very busy and people are very supportive and positive. I've enjoyed every minute.

"I am very lucky that I have sold out of quite a few of my ranges, I've gone home in the nights to restock."Eisteddfod first-timer Cleddon Getten, 44 owns Pimentos, a carribean food business, said: "My sales have been great and every day is getting busier".Originally from Jamaica, he went to London for a holiday when he was 19, and decided to move there permanently after loving the city.

At the age of 10 he started cooking as his mother was always out working, he explained.After shying away from his hobby in his teens, he decided to study welding at school. He fell back in love with cooking after helping a friend out by catering for her baby shower.

At 26 he bought a restaurant in Birmingham and that's where his catering business started.After the Covid pandemic, he took his business outdoors and he started attending food festivals.Having recently done the Cardiff food festival and the Eisteddfod yr Urdd in May, he said he finds "much love in Wales" and "would love to learn to speak the language".

Mr Getten added: "I would like a restaurant here for my Jamaican Welsh customers. I also hope to come to the National Eisteddfod next year."Sisarikg Crafts is another business hoping to return next year.Luis Caceres, 36 from Ecuador, runs the business with his daughter and grandmother from Nottingham.Their family in Ecuador make the items and they ship them over ready to sell.His daughter, Ayoen, 14, said: "Business has been good. Saturday wasn't great due to the weather. We have had better sales this year than last year, so we are happy."

Anwen Jenkins, 28, from Aberystwyth, owns Anibendod, a Welsh-language clothing store, which she started five years ago after she started practicing needlework in her bedroom using wool from sheep from her farm.She was at last year's Eisteddfod in Tregaron and also attended the Royal Welsh Show.She said: "Business has been very good this year. I'm very happy."I think Welsh people like my stuff because they like to wear Welsh stuff to be proud of where they're from." But the picture is not so rosy for everyone.

Rhian Parry, 44, from Nefyn, Gwynedd, who owns Tê Parti, which sells Welsh t-shirts, mugs, bags and jewellery, said: “I started printing the t-shirts because my husband is English and he always laughed at the name. Welsh things.“It all started with a buwch goch gota, which we call ladybugs, and it literally means a little red cow."He would just laugh and laugh at it. So yeah, my products are basically literal translations of all the weird Welsh words and phases."

Ms Parry decided to turn her hobby into a business six months ago. Through Cyngor Gwynedd's local council scheme, she applied to hire a stand. The council provided six wooden stalls to encourage new small businesses to sell at the Eisteddfod.Mrs Parry said: “We were very lucky to get one of the stalls."I wouldn't have been able to cover the £1,600 fee myself. I haven't even been able to in the four days I've been here."She had been at the festival since Saturday and left on Wednesday to pick up six more stall holders.

She said sales were not great and she felt the impact of the cost of living crisis was "very evident"."People say they'll stop on their way home and get something from my stand, but they never do."She hopes next year's Eisteddfod will provide similar opportunities for small businesses as she had at Boduan.

The annual Eisteddfod, a vibrant celebration of culture, art and community, has proved a golden opportunity for local stallholders. This year, when the event took center stage, he witnessed a remarkable boom in sales among a select group of enterprising sellers. Let's dive into the key factors that contributed to their success and explore the winning strategies they used to cash in on this buzzing cultural extravaganza.

 Immersive cultural experience:

One of the main reasons for the increase in sales among Eisteddfod stallholders is the immersive cultural experience the event provides. From traditional musical performances to captivating art exhibitions, visitors are drawn to experience the rich heritage of the region. Local craftsmen and artisans rose to the occasion, offering authentic hand-crafted goods that perfectly complemented the atmosphere of the event.Eisteddfod, cultural experience, local artisans, handmade goods.

 Strategic product selection:

The stallholders, who carefully matched their products to the preferences of the Eisteddfod audience, reaped the rewards. Celtic inspired jewellery, locally sourced gourmet delicacies and unique artworks that showcased the essence of Welsh folklore flew off the shelves. These savvy vendors catered to the tastes and interests of festival goers and secured remarkable sales. Keywords: Celtic patterns, local resources, Welsh folklore, gourmet delicacies.

 Online presentation and marketing:

In the digital age, a strong online presence is essential, even for traditional stallholders. Those who took advantage of social media platforms and optimized their websites with relevant keywords related to the Eisteddfod saw a significant increase in their stalls. By sharing behind-the-scenes views, showcasing their products online and actively engaging potential customers, they successfully extended their reach beyond the event site. Keywords: online presence, social media, website optimization, engagement. Cooperation:

The collaboration proved to be a game-changer for several stallholders. By partnering with other local businesses, they created enticing cross-promotions that attracted a diverse customer base. This networking strategy not only boosted sales but also fostered a sense of community which resonated with the spirit of the Eisteddfod. collaborative networking, local businesses, cross promotions, community spirit.

 Exceptional customer service:

Stallholders who went the extra mile in providing exceptional customer service left a lasting impression on festival goers. Friendly interactions, personalized recommendations and a genuine passion for their products created a positive shopping experience that translated into loyal customers. Word of mouth spreads like wildfire and further contributes to the sales boom. Keywords: exceptional customer service, personalized recommendations, positive shopping experience.

Undoubtedly, the Eisteddfod provided a platform for local stallholders to shine, with a remarkable sales boom seen among those who strategically focused on the essence of the event. By embracing the cultural experience, optimizing their online presence and focusing on customer satisfaction, these enterprising sellers have not only enjoyed a successful sales season, but also created lasting connections within the community. As we celebrate the achievements of these stallholders, we are reminded of the enormous potential that lies at the intersection of culture, commerce and community.