HJ Retailer Spotlight - Austins
Pantherella International Group Ltd
The home of world renowned sock brands, HJ Hall, Pantherella and Scott Nichol.
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our new series on LinkedIn, where we’ll be sitting down with our friendly retail customers to chat all things, HJ Hall!
In our first interview, we had the pleasure of meeting with Sue at Austins Department Store to delve into the history of the iconic retailer and discover her favourite products.
HJ: Please could you introduce yourselves?
Austins: Hi, I’m Sue, Head of Menswear for Austins Department store in Newton Abbot in sunny Devon.
HJ: In a couple of sentences, tell us about Austins.
Austins: Firstly, we are 100 years old this year… We are an independent department store that started in 1924 as a small drapers shop and over the years have grown to what we are today, still being family owned!
HJ: How long have you stocked HJ?
Austins: They have been here as long as I have and that’s going back 21 years, so even though I can’t say exactly, it’s certainly been a long time!
HJ: What do you love about HJ?
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Austin’s: There are so many things. Product wise it’s the quality, also the variety that is available and their great value for money. The company as a whole offers great service from our account manager, Ben Martin, to providing fast turnaround on top up orders.
HJ: What do you think keeps the HJ consumer keep coming back?
Austins: Like us buying them as a product to stock, the customer looks for the same things; they are great quality for a great price and the variety that we offer has every option covered. They truly have a sock for everyone!
HJ: What is your personal favourite HJ product and why?
Austins: For me it’s the Softop® (for those who don’t know, this is our number 1 product that has a non-restrictive top), has to be really.
HJ: What is the most popular/bestselling HJ product and why?
Austins: Again, Softop®! They just keep selling after all these years of stocking them. The customer just knows they can come in and pick up any of them and they will get the same great product time after time, whatever colour they choose.
HJ: How is our new underwear and thermals range being received?
Austins: Very well, we have repeated on them a few times already. The customers just love them. I think the HJ customer knows they will get the same great quality as they have had from the socks for years and now, they can find it in news ranges