Oliver Bonas arrived on VictoriaStreet in 2010. This stylish retailer has a selection of life style and interior design staples for the younger, design conscious market selling fun homeware and accessories together with inexpensive fashion and jewellery. Oliver Bonas pursue their particular brand of individualism and source their products from a wide range of niche and more mainstream suppliers. While there is a company identity that runs consistently across their outlets, each is decorated differently to suit the locationso that no two shops end up looking the same. It is a refreshing approach.

The Victoria BID’s Nina Provençal interviewed Laura Meddings, Area Manager for Central/North London and Annie Ramos Supervisor for the Victoria branch to find out more about their take on what made them choose to locate at Kings Gate Parade, Victoria Street.

NP: What brought Oliver Bonas to Victoria and have you been well received?

OB:We had been looking at Victoria for a while, the space was ideal as were looking for a larger store. Our city stores are very successful and Victoria was the perfect opportunity as it also has strong travel link and close to tourist attractions. Even though Victoria is in a city environment we trade very well at weekends as it is a popular area with residents and tourists.

What makes Oliver Bonas so unique on the high street?

Oliver Bonas is the place to come if you celebrate individuality, cherish good design and are inspired by the quirky and creative. Every store no matter how big or small has its own individual look and feel. Key products set each store apart from the other, for example furniture or lighting to add a wow factor and design edge to the environment. The size of this store means we can go into more depth with stock, presenting the full range plus trail runs of new products for example Rodgers & Rodgers and Tales From The Earth.

Where do you source your eclectic products from?

Our products are reasonably priced and sourced from across the globe. We work with a variety of suppliers from London fashion houses to Danish Clothing brands, Dutch designed ceramics, handmade glass from Poland, and exclusive sterling silver jewellery made for us in Thailand. We also work with small independent designers who may have only a few pieces in their range. We like to keep products fresh and sometimes only have one hit of any product, so we retain a certain amount of exclusivity on our products which suits our customers.

What is your best selling item?

Over Christmas our top selling items was our own brand candle in 4 fragrances, in-house designed Ju Ju jewellery. We are currently working on our new in house clothing range called “Poem”, which will launch late spring / early summer, which we are sure, will be well received.

You have signed up to the Victoria BID's pilot Facewatch scheme, how has it been working in practice?

Really well, it’s so instant and gives staff reassurance. The response from the police is fantastic but then the police support in Victoria has always been excellent.

Who do you see as your main competitor in Victoria?