CREATIVES
Harriet Rouse
www.harrietandrose.co.uk
Harriet Rouse launched her online gift
shop and gift finder service www.
harrietandrose.co.uk in Spring 2019.
With a focus on thoughtful and ethical
gifts, the website continues to go from strength to
strength. Based in Jersey, and only delivering on
island, it was launched to make thoughtful gifting in
Jersey, simple. All the pieces on the website are here on
the island, ready to deliver, so there is no need to worry
about delays or anything being held up by customs.
Originally from a creative background, Harriet
has carefully sourced all the items on her website
personally, and nearly all are from small, independent
creators, including several from Jersey.
From traditionally block-printed kaftans,
tablecloths and dressing gowns, to natural soy wax
candles from a company that donate a percentage of
profits to mental health charities, Harriet,
was keen to ensure that she was enabling
people to send thoughtful and original
gifts even if they had left things to the last
minute. There’s even a section on the website
dedicated to gifts for living by the sea.
“When I moved to Jersey four years ago,
I realised that my last-minute online panic
buys that I could get delivered the next day
were gone. I had sold my business when I
relocated here and knew that I wanted to
start up something again. I was lucky enough
to know a network of independent creative
businesses and had the confidence that I could offer
something different that wasn’t already available in
the island – an online only gift shop and gift finder.
“When you start to plan for your year ahead, you
can’t factor in things like a global pandemic, and it’s
definitely been a case of adapting to fit demand and
what my customers are looking for this year. Whilst
our office has been closed to collections, we’ve been
able to offer free island-wide delivery. It’s been so
wonderful to see and write out all the gift messages
that have accompanied our deliveries across the island.
I’ve seen a real move away from sending big statement
gifts, to sending out care packages – so lots of small
things all packaged up together. Our customers
have been able to create something quite bespoke,
and tailor what they
are sending to the
recipient. I possibly
chose the wrong year
to launch our bespoke
bridal service, but we
have some fantastic launches coming up, including
a brilliant local collaboration that will be exclusive
to the website. The last few months have taught us
all the importance of shopping local, and we will
continue to deliver across the island, and work with
local creatives.” •
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