Canadian Retailer - Store 2014 - 22

STORE 2014 AWARDS OF DISTINCTION

INDEPENDENT RETAILER OF THE YEAR

THE ART OF SUCCESS

Atlantic independent retailer leverages tradition and
customer engagement to expand and evolve
BY SEAN C. TARRY
IT BEGAN in 1974 in an old boathouse in Mahone Bay when a member of the international Economusee netGreg and Suzanne Amos opened Amos Pewter-an artisan work, whose mission is to showcase traditional
shop selling original pewter pieces, inspired by the beauti- trades and skills.
ful surroundings, that are handcrafted using time-honoured
"It's crucial to be involved in the community
practices and methods. Forty years later, the artisans of that you serve," says Sheehan. "That's a part of
Amos Pewter continue to honour those traditions. With a running a store-you're not just selling things,
matchless dedication to the art, its customers and the com- you're a contributing member to the developmunities that it serves, Amos Pewter has grown, cultivating ment of that area."
a loyal following that spans the world.
But locals to the store are not the only ones
Much of the company's recent success and growth is due affected by the company and its pewter experito the work of Don Sheehan who took ownership of Amos ence. Amos Pewter has fully embraced social
Pewter in 2006. Since then, the company has opened three media, utilizing Twitter, Facebook and Inmore locations, in Halifax and Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia stagram to reach new customers and maintain
and in Peake's Quay, Charlottetown, PEI, while enhancing contact with existing ones.
its presence on the internet and developing
its e-commerce performance. Sheehan was "[Social media's] a very good way to extend
recently honoured by Retail Council of Cancustomer interaction and a great channel to tell
ada with the Independent Retailer of the Year
award, but insists that he's not the only one our story and to keep our customers up to date
who deserves credit.
with new products and new designs. We're able
"It's a real team and collaborative environment here at Amos Pewter," he explains. "From to maintain a continual, ongoing line of comdesign sketch to mould making, marketing munication with our customers."
strategies and retail-it all happens under one
- SEBASTIEN MCSWEEN
roof. This really breeds a team environment.
We all share in this award."
"It's certainly helped us evolve over the
It's a sentiment that David Christoffel, Amos Pewter's de- last number of years," explains Sebastien Mcsign lead, echoes, explaining that this award is perhaps a Sween, the company's creative lead. "That's a
culmination of the work that has been made over the years very good way to extend customer interaction
and up to this point.
and a great channel to tell our story and to
"I think it's a wonderful affirmation of the hard work that keep our customers up-to-date with new prodeverybody puts in here. We all care about the designs, and ucts and new designs. We're able to maintain a
the products. We all care very much about the customer continual, ongoing line of communication with
experience when they come in the door. The company has our customers."
always placed a huge value on customer service and the
It's that line of communication and commitretail experience. The award is an affirmation and lets us ment to tradition that Sheehan believes will be
know that we're on the right track, though, the public has integral to the continued success of Amos Pewter.
been telling us that for a long time."
"As we grow we have to remember the founIn addition to the company's stellar retail performance, dation of the company and what our brand is.
it is also an important contributor to the community. Amos We always need to stay fresh and creative and
Pewter is a proud sponsor of several local festivals and an- honest and communicate that to our customnual events in Mahone Bay and is a fundraising partner of ers on an ongoing basis. And we need to be listhe IWK Children's Hospital in Halifax. The company is also tening to them as well."

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