July somehow disappeared before we managed to write our usual monthly update.
And now, as August comes to an end, we are combining the two months together instead. Not because there has been nothing happening. Quite the opposite.
It has been a busy summer in the shop, online and behind the scenes. As is often the way when you run a small independent business, the weeks have filled up with serving customers, unpacking deliveries, restocking shelves, updating the website, planning ahead and generally keeping everything moving.
So if we have been a little quieter than usual online, that is why. We have been very much here, just busy with all the everyday things that keep Porridge ticking along.
The summer months always bring a different energy to Brixham. The town feels busier, the days are fuller and the shop seems to need constant topping up. Wholefoods, supplements, eco refills, gifts, cards, snacks, cold drinks, café bits and online orders all quietly tick along, and before you know it another week has gone.
One of the loveliest things this summer has been seeing how popular our French market bags have been. They have continued to fly out, and it has been so nice seeing people choose them for shopping, beach days, holidays and everyday use. Alongside those, we have also had new trays and plenty of other pieces arriving that bring that practical but beautiful feeling we always love in the shop.
We have also been adding lots of new products across the shelves and online. Some are everyday essentials, some are seasonal treats, and some are simply things we have spotted and thought our customers would love. That is one of the nicest parts of running Porridge: choosing products carefully and watching them find their place.
A huge amount of work has also gone into the website over the last couple of months.
With over 2,700 products now listed online, we know it needs to be as easy as possible to browse, search and shop. The latest updates are all about making the website simpler to use, whether you are placing an order for UK delivery, choosing local delivery around Brixham, using Click & Collect or just checking what we stock before visiting.
There is now faster search, improved product browsing, out of stock email alerts, clearer delivery and collection information, and an easier way to ask us product questions directly from the website.
It has been a big job, but an important one.
We have also been making plans for Christmas already. Yes, Christmas. It feels far too early to say it out loud, but lots of ordering happens months in advance, and we have been busy choosing plenty of lovely seasonal stock ready for later in the year. More on that soon.
The team have been working incredibly hard through the summer too, keeping shelves stocked, helping customers, making drinks, sorting deliveries and keeping the shop running during a busy time of year.
At the end of August, we are also sadly saying goodbye to Tom as he leaves us to join the local fire service. He has been a hardworking and valued part of the team, and we are very grateful for everything he has done while with us. We will miss having him around, but we are also really excited for him and wish him all the best in his next chapter.
As summer starts to soften towards September, we are already thinking ahead. There is still plenty going on behind the scenes, from new products and website improvements to preparing for the autumn and Christmas seasons.
Thank you to everyone who has visited us in store, shopped online, placed a local delivery order, collected from us, stopped for a coffee or simply popped in for a chat over the last couple of months. We really do appreciate every bit of support.
If you enjoy these monthly updates, you can also sign up to our newsletter where we share new arrivals, seasonal favourites, shop news and the occasional update from our small team. We usually send one thoughtful email each month, keeping you up to date with what is happening both in store and online.
— Cal and the Porridge team x
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