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Wahoo to the RWC, and bring on a great Christmas and Summer

Wasn’t the Rugby final amazing! We all spent the last half of the game on the edge of our seats. What an event. What a relief. We had a number visitors based in the Petone area staying at the camping grounds and the Petone Rugby Club during the rugby period. We had lots of great feedback about the area and how welcomed they felt. We were told how much people enjoyed staying out here and how many of them wish to return. The stories they tell of their time here is some of the best marketing we could want.  Word of mouth is a great promotional tool.  Thank you every one for being such great hosts.

It was also very exciting to have the Web Ellis trophy for the RWC engraved by our very own Peter, from Peter Campbell Engravers. He told us he sat patiently waiting until he was given the go ahead and then had to engrave the winning team in record time, without any mistakes. Thank goodness it was New Zealand. Good on ya mate!

Welcome also to the new businesses that have opened or are due to open:
• Keats Boutique – 326 Jackson Street
• Sweet Pea – 255 Jackson Street
• Turquoise – 239 Jackson Street
• SPCA Opshop– 243 Jackson Street
• Wham Public Relations – L1/205 Jackson Street
• Uncle Mike’s Kansas City BBQ – 230 Jackson Street
• The French Italian Shop – 115 Jackson Street (opening soon)

Now that the earthquake strengthening is completed, we welcome back:
• The House of Knives – 171 Jackson Street

Farewell, thank you and all the best in your new adventures:
• Story Time Books for Kids – we will miss Malcolm McEwen, his great knowledge and passion for children’s books and wish him well in his retirement.
• Re-Launch – it was sad to hear they’ve closed their doors. They were a great addition to the retro shops on the Street and we hope they may open again one day soon.
• Pete’s Acoustic Guitars – Peter has moved to the Wairarapa to swap his guitars for restoring old motorbikes. A loss for us.

It’s hard to believe that its only six weeks until Christmas – where has the year gone?! The JSP is encouraging all retailers to decorate their shop windows. Whether a traditional or contemporary display, it all adds to the diverse mix of Jackson Street. We always get such great feedback about how wonderful our Street looks at Christmas time. Everyone loves the beautiful and bold window displays, which Petone is renouned (and it’s also likely to draw in the reluctant shoppers like me on the hunt for those special gifts). We will also be running our annual Christmas window display competition and will be judged by Geraldine Brophy. So the challenge begins. Who will be this years winners?!

Christmas is always a busy time of year for Petone, and as always, we like to support the businesses by running some sort of promotional activity. This year we will again be running a competition for purchases made in Petone, however, we will be using online, and social media channels to help spread the word and raise general awareness. The talented team at Spiral Web design are helping us build the competiton template for all to use, an electronic newsletter that can be sent to business databases and we will be printing posters for distribution. We are looking for giveaway support from local businesses. Please email us on info@jacksonstreet.co.nz if you have something to help.

We look forward to what is going to be a great Christmas and a fantastic summer.

Cheers,
Robert.

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Greetings All

A warm welcome to our new JSP committee members Sam from the ANZ bank and Jacqui from Oyster. I would like to acknowledge the hard work of all committee members this year (all in a
voluntary capacity).

Here at Trade Aid I am feeling very confident about good Christmas sales as we are well up on last years figures and have some beautiful new pieces from our groups overseas and the greatest variable of all LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION is in our favour ie Jackson St. As a gift shop I anticipate making 40% of our sales in this quarter so am preparing to make the most of the cruise ship visitors, Wellington day trippers and our loyal customers.

Do think about visual merchandising in this busy time – how do your windows look at night?, consider leaving more lights on instore at night and get together a great christams themed window to enter our competition.

I would like to acknowledge the hard work of David Hancock former visitor services manager at HCC in promoting Jackson St as a destination, I wish him well in his new role as GM at Destination
Wairarapa – keep sending the shoppers over the hill!. Finally big thanks to Robert and Sophie for all all their hard work.

From all of us at the JSP Board, we'd like to wish you all a safe and happy Christmas and a relaxing New Year. 

All the very best, warm regards, Annabel, Trade Aid.

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A word from our friends in Blue

With Christmas fast approaching, Petone Police would like to take this opportunity to make sure you keep yourself, your families and your properties safe.

At about this time every year, we see a spike in the number of scams circulating, where good-natured citizens are targeted. The key message here is 'if it's too good to be true it probably is'.

Beware of people knocking on your door, entering your shop or approaching you on the street offering you crayfish, meat and other items for sale at unbelievable prices.

They will be very friendly, forthcoming, confident and won't take no for an answer. They will request money from you on the spot, giving excuses that if you don’t take this opportunity now you will never get this chance again, they will even follow you to an eftpos if required.

The reality is that their promised crayfish/meat pack will never arrive and I cannot emphasize this point enough. Be vigilant, spread the word and say NO!!!!!

Thieves will blatantly expose your weaknesses, by walking into your shops, stealing your stock and any other personal items that are left on display. 

The same principle applies to your homes, be aware that what you leave lying around will become a target for a thief, and your open house, a target for a burglar! Lock your car doors and don't leave anything valuable in your vehicle.

Thieves are opportunists and will take any opportunity presented.

Please report any suspicious behaviour as it is happening immediately to your local Police Station, or directly through to our Wellington Communication Centre (04) 472-3000.

To report other suspicious activity, you can also phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Have a wonderful Christmas and stay safe,

Dave

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Petone is certainly a special place!

On the outskirts of Jackson street there is so much going on that it really just emphasises how special Petone is. Someone I love is Margo who runs yoga classes in Petone but who also has a beautiful herb garden in Buick Street and runs Herb Cottage Workshops. You can join a workshop and learn how a handful of herbs can be a part of your everyday health. Check medit@globe.net.nz for details.

Simon and his Dad are loveable and always so enthusiastic about the films they show at The Lighthouse Theatre on Beach Street. Coming up is the Met Opera Season with such wonders as Anna Bolena and Don Giovanni showing over November. Check www.lighthousepetone.co.nz for schedule details.

Sadly the gorgeous and enthusiastic Wendy has shut Cultured Milkbar but will be doing many more all things cheesy events such as fondue cheese parties, cheese baskets and lots more she promises. We will miss her heaps but it will be wonderful to see what else we can still be involved in with her on Jackson Street. www.cultured.co.nz to keep an eye on events.

On Saturday the 19th of November is the Made in Petone Craft Market at Sacred heart Parish Hall, supporting locals artists making all manner of wonders for Christmas. Showcasing how far reaching the creativity is in Petone.

I can't wait to try Sweet Peas cup cake cafe. I had a peak in the door last week whilst on my walk with my Girl Guide Unit along Jackson Street and it looks amazing! I'll be taking my Mum there with Pip on her birthday I reckon. Some of you may not know about our small upstairs gallery at Oyster. We have a new artist exhibiting each month and it's a way for us to introduce Petone to the many talented artists living in the Wellington Region. At the moment we have local Wellington artist Ann Skelly. Her work is amazing!

There will be lots of exciting things happening on Jackson Street in the lead up to Christmas (other than the road works- the Council must be digging for treasure I've decided)  I can't wait!

Kia Kaha Jackson Street X

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Social Media; a valuable tool for Small Businesses

Social media marketing is a rapidly changing environment, as we all know. However, the good news is that your customers are embracing social media as a normal part of their lives. Even the over-50 population is adapting at staggering rates.

Have a read of the article from this link below about using Social Media. It really highlights the importance of having a good social media strategy for your business.  It is based on US research, but the figures coming through from NZ follow very similar patterns. There’s a lot we can learn from reviewing international trends, and given Petone businesses are largely made up of small unique offerings, Social Media is a great, cost effective (almost free) option for building strong relationships with customers. 

If you haven't already, go on; get amongst it! And if you have and need some help, give us a call. 

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/26-promising-social-media-stats-for-small-businesses/

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