Molly’s Cotton Tails opened in Alcester in 2016 and sells organic cotton children’s clothing, fair-trade wooden toys and zero waste products.
We caught up with owner Sara Palmer as part of the #Warksmas campaign.
Why did you set up Molly’s Cotton Tails?
It was set up after a bit of a light bulb moment when I had returned to work following the birth of my daughter Molly. We had been introduced to organic cotton clothing, and the ethical businesses that manufacture them.
The opportunity for a career change presented itself and I decided to start my own business.
What do you think keeps your customers coming back?
I think it is the products we sell and the service we provide. We aim to be friendly and accessible for all. We have established a great group of loyal customers, who come back to us because they know us. We have built relationships with them. We have created a family.
What your best-selling product?
Our best-selling products differ from season to season. In the summer months we sell a lot of ‘holiday’ clothes; colder wintry months see a rise in gifts buying, and more toys being purchased.
What do you think is your best product and why?
Our best product in my opinion is our clothing. The quality, the colours, the ethics of the companies that we deal with. We’ve created relationships with all of our brands – it’s through these relationships that we are able to confidently sell their products.
What is the most unusual items you stock?
I don’t know if anything we stock is that unusual! People are always surprised that we stock so many zero waste items. They come in expecting just children’s clothes and wooden toys, then they are surprised by the wide range of zero waste items.
Have you had any unusual requests from customers?
We get regular requests for new stock items, but we are often unable to accommodate completely new requests. The food refill room we now have in store does allow us to accommodate their food and zero waste requests.
How important is the Christmas period to you?
It’s exceptionally important. November and December’s sales typically account for between 30-35 per cent of our annual sales.
Who would be you ideal (dead or alive) four guests for Christmas lunch and why?
What a great question! Karen Carpenter (my absolute favourite), Giovanna & Tom Fletcher and Beyonce (because why not!!)
What would be your own personal ultimate Christmas present?
It would have to be a trip to Lapland with all of my family – quality time spent together somewhere magical!