Author: mark

I am a Director of newsXpress, a marketing group for newsagents keen for a bright future. You can reach me on +61 418 321 338 or mark[at]towersystems.com.au

Storytime

Storytime.  Young Leon was sent in by a local accounting business to order Christmas cards to send to customers. They start planning for this early. “They want cards with a snowman and traditional Christmas scenes. I want something that looks Australian.” Leon grew up here. He knew the importance of shopping local and we liked that. I showed him the boxed Cardpac Christmas cards with a cute koala on the front that we are getting as part of our 2020 range. “They are designed and printed in Melbourne.” Leon was sold. He was even more thrilled when he saw that they raised money for the respected Peter Mac Cancer Foundation.

Offering locally designed and made Christmas cards that raise money for a trusted local charity is important to us, and to our customers.

Storytime

Storytime. “What do you give a mum who says no gifts?” Jess was frustrated. “Mum says she’d rather see us, which she can’t right now, of course, so I want to send her something I know she will appreciate receiving.”

Jess was a regular and I knew her mum had two dogs so I suggested our pet soap from The Soap Bar. “This is soap made here in Australia, in Queensland actually, by hand especially for pets. It helps deter fleas.” “Perfect!” Jess was happy. “I’ll take two. I love that they are easy to post.”

We love introducing our customers to Aussie made gifts that are also good for the environment.

Storytime

Storytime. Regular customer Matt wanted to send his dad who lived interstate a gift for his birthday. “I don’t want to send money or a voucher, he means more to me than that” Matt said, looking around the shop.

I showed Matt the Sow and Sow seeds we had just got in from this local Aussie company selling safe seeds in beautiful and environmentally friendly gift packs. Matt chose Trio of Herbs and Sunflowers. “He’ll love these, especially the sunflowers.” Matt beamed, thrilled to find a perfect gift for his garden loving dad. “And they’re Australian made!”

We love it when our customers discover perfect gifts that are Australian made.

Storytime

Storytime. Before corona, Annie visited her mum in the nursing home every weekend, often taking her out for a drive. Her mum, Pattie, loves the Australian bush. With the lockdown stopping the visits, Annie wanted to drop off a gift that could lift her mum’s spirits. She chose a Golden Wattle hand-poured soy wax candle made here in Australia, with natural Australian oils. It’s a beautiful candle that brings an authentically Australian scent to the room.

“This is perfect, mum will love it,” Annie said, “it brings the bush to her and its Australian.” Her joy at finding the gift was a treat to see.

We love the delight customers express when they find the perfect gift made here in Australia. We are grateful to have Aussie suppliers making these.

Storytime

Storytime. A customer, we’ll call her ‘Tess’ for this story, bought one of our R U OK? cards a few weeks ago because she liked the design on the front of sending a hug in the from of a card. She also liked that the cards were made in Australia. She sent the card to her son with whom she’s had a challenging relationship. Anyway, ‘Tess’ was in yesterday and told us that her son had called her to say things were not okay. He’d been laid off and had some health challenges. ‘Tess’ was grateful that she has been able to reconnect with her son.

‘Tess’ told us the story since she bought on impulse from a display at the counter, and saw it was supporting R U OK?. “Serendipity,” she called it. The card opened a discussion through which ‘Tess’ and her son have become reconnected.

The R U OK? cards from Aussie company Henderson Greetings are helping people connect and reconnect in the most wonderful ways.

Storytime

Old Harry is a regular. Every day or so, he is in for the paper, sometimes a magazine. Always with a smile. He’s a happy bloke. Yesterday was different. He was quietly looking at the new baby cards. He’d been in front of them for ten minutes or so, not moving. I could sense something was up. “Hey, Harry,” I said as I approached. “Oh, hi.” It was if he was lost in his thoughts. I took the hint. “I’ll leave you to it,” I said, and turned to walk away. “She would have been forty-five today.” Harry’s face was lined with sadness. He looked at the baby girl cards, reached across and placed his hand on some before speaking again.”Vicky we called her, Vicky. She would have been forty-five today.” Harry paused, looking to the ground. “She died during the birth. So, today’s her birthday, but it’s not.” “I’m so sorry Harry.” “It’s okay. Nothing can change it.” Harry tapped the new baby girl cards again, sighed and walked across to get his newspaper. I stood there realising, once again, that a shop is so many different things every day.

Storytime

Customers tell you the most human and personal of stories sometimes. Sixty-something Tom was looking for a card. I offered help. “Don’t laugh or judge me but I need a card for my dad.” Oh, how old is he,” I asked.  “He died a few days ago,” Tom said with resignation. After a pause, he added “there are some things, some things I never said, that I wished I had said, things I think he’d like to hear.  So, I need a card that I can write on, and put in his coffin.” Tom swallowed a tear.

It turned out Tom’s dad loved penguins and we have a card with the most beautiful penguins on it. Tom was thrilled. “This is perfect,” he said, beaming, “he’ll like that.”

Every day, every day, real people, real emotions.