Robert Simmonds Clothing Marks 22 Years In Business And Still Going Strong
FREDERICTON – Robert Simmonds Clothing in downtown Fredericton is going into its 22nd year of business and is still experiencing tremendous growth, even in a sector hard-hit by Covid-19.
“If it wasn’t for our clients and our team, we certainly wouldn’t be in the position we’re in today,” said Paul Simmonds, who has been in the retail business for 40 years.
The store began with 1,800 square feet and a focus on men’s apparel. Over the years, the store expanded with the growing market and a denim component.
After that came more space and then women’s apparel. Shoes came after that and the store kept growing.
“Over the years, we’ve grown organically in the one location,” Simmonds said.
“We’re in a historic building [in] downtown Fredericton, so we’re very fortunate that the location accommodated the organic growth of our business.”
In 2014, Simmonds started an online store to complement the brick and mortar location. Before Covid-19 hit, Simmonds and his team upgraded the website to make it more user friendly. When stores shut down, Simmonds’ sales didn’t suffer too much because of the online option.
“Our sales were up 450 percent. Year to date, our sales would be up about 470 percent,” Simmonds said.
“So, there’s definitely been a shift to online shopping and we’re very happy that we were positioned to be part of that.”
Simmonds said that even during challenging times like Covid-19, it’s important that his business continues to focus on their clients. He wants to provide every client with an excellent experience each time they shop with him.
When it comes to business, said Simmonds, relationships are the most important part of building your brand.
“People appreciate quality and [they] appreciate good service,” he said.
For the past 19 years, Robert Simmonds Clothing has put out annual magazines to celebrate the successes of Atlantic leaders.
Simmonds also believes in carrying as many local designers as possible. One of the local designers he carries is Adrienne Goodine.
He met Goodine whilst doing a presentation at NBCCD in Fredericton. Each season, Simmonds buys a collection from Goodine.
Some of Goodine’s designs can be matched to a reusable mask.
“We’ll continue to look for local entrepreneurs and designers [who] we can work together [with,]” said Simmonds.
Despite Covid-19 and the challenges it is bringing to local businesses, Simmonds is overcoming and working around the challenges that come up.
Normally, he would be hopping on a plane to Toronto or New York to go to showrooms in search of their newest collections – but this year is different.
“We’re constantly researching new collections and current collections and tracking trends,” Simmonds said.
Simmonds said retail is a challenging business, but after studying it at the University of New Brunswick and working in the business for 40 years, he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“[Being your own boss is] tremendously rewarding when you’re successful and tremendously discouraging when you’re not,” Simmonds said.
“But I think the most important part is that you have to be persistent, you pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and go again.”