This time, I would like to talk a little about our shop.

Choosing an Online Shop

Our shop does not have a physical store and sells exclusively online.

It is not that we do not dream of running a physical store with carefully designed interiors and displays, but opening one requires a large amount of capital, and it would likely be difficult to run a business in the rural area of Fukuoka Prefecture where we currently live.

As a small shop run by our family, we chose to operate online so that we can avoid unnecessary costs and offer our products at as affordable prices as possible.

I worked as a company employee for many years, and during that time, I also worked in a role similar to that of a systems engineer, so I have always been comfortable working with online systems.
However, because I have no experience in customer service involving face-to-face sales, the idea of opening a physical store has always felt daunting.

Making Our Products and Ourselves More Accessible

However, because customers cannot see and touch our products in person through our online shop, we sometimes feel frustrated that we cannot fully convey their appeal.

We also frequently receive requests from customers who would like to shop while seeing the products in person.
When dealing with antiques, we feel that it is important for customers to feel a personal connection not only to the products but also to us as the people running the shop.

The Possibility of Antique Markets and Department Store Events

(March 2024, Hisayama Flea Market)

Opening a permanent physical store is quite a high hurdle, but we could also consider setting up a stall at an antique market or department store event.

Visiting the Hisayama Flea Market

Recently, a small flea market was being held at a shopping mall about a 30-minute drive from our home, so we went to see it for future reference.
It has only recently started, but it is small and seems to have a low barrier to entry, making it easy to participate.

When we asked the organizer, we learned that it is run by a company that rents out an old London bus for events, so it seems like it would be a good fit for our shop, which deals in British antiques.

Considerations for Setting Up at an Outdoor Event

However, while there are shops selling antiques, many sell handmade goods and other items that families can enjoy together, so displaying our current products as they are might look out of place.

At outdoor antique markets, it is difficult to bring valuable items or delicate pieces such as antique clocks.

Although the stall fees are low, it seems that we would need to prepare our own tent and display fixtures even if we only rent a plot.
Furthermore, it would be difficult to transport not only the tent and fixtures but also our products to the site with our current car.

Department Store Events and Events in Other Regions

At a department store event, we would not need a tent, and we could sell our current products as they are.
In Fukuoka, Hakata Hankyu holds an annual "British Fair," where other antique shops also set up stalls.

However, setting up at a department store event would likely involve a strict screening process, and the stall fees are said to be around 20–30% of sales.

Since there are only a limited number of antique markets and department store events in Kyushu, we considered participating in events in distant cities such as Tokyo and Osaka, but when we think about the cost of transporting our products, traveling ourselves, and paying for accommodation while preparing, it seems like we would have to be prepared to run a loss.

Connecting Online: A New Challenge

Recently, we have begun to see shops where the owner conducts live broadcasts on YouTube and Instagram.

We could also consider using a video conferencing system such as Zoom to talk with customers while they see our faces and our products.
Rather than suddenly setting up at an antique market or department store event, we might try something like that first.

Although we are only just beginning, we are currently exploring ways to make our products and ourselves feel more accessible to customers in some way.
We still have many challenges ahead, but we are excited to be taking on something new after so long.