GOOD BUSINESS December 1999

WONDERWORLD!

ON MARCH 1st 2000 - St David's Day, we will undergo a transformation. On that date we will adopt our new trading name -WONDERWORLD.

WONDERWORLD will be a radical development of the good work we began as 7 Wonders. The main changes will be in three key areas - publication of a wholesale catalogue, extending our business into Europe and significant upgrading of our fair trade practise. What will NOT change is our absolute commitment to working on a friendly, human scale, to source, supply & promote - high-skill, low-tech, creative & environmentally friendly handicrafts.

CATALOGUE

PUBLISHING a catalogue is an economical way of contacting customers right around the country. We no longer consider that we can speculatively circulate the country in our automobiles every six weeks or two months with bags of samples, it is inefficient & unsustainable. That said we will come and see you if you need to see us or the range for any reason. We continue to place the highest importance on good communication about our business together.

THE catalogue will have a flexible format, enabling us to introduce new items quickly. This very WONDERWORLD website will shortly incorporate an on-line ordering system for retailers. Regular customers will be listed on the website as outlets for WONDERWORLD products.

NEW PRODUCTS

WE HAVE been working hard to create new original fabric designs for furnishings, garments & accessories, and other product ideas. They are in production right now - ready for the WONDERWORLD launch in Spring 2000. WONDERWORLD will also continue to supply proven winners from the 7 Wonders era.

GOING DUTCH

ONE reason that we chose the word WONDERWORLD for our new project was that it would be readily understood across Europe where we hope to find significant demand for our products. We are finalising a reciprocal relationship with a leading Dutch fair trade company who will market WONDERWORLD products in the Netherlands, at the same time as providing WONDERWORLD with new products to market in the UK. We hope that this exciting new venture will be the first of several successful collaborations. It is the logical way forward for small businesses to make the most of their creative capacity.

FAIRER TRADING

FOR THE last year we have been reviewing our fair trade practise in the light of discussions with other people in the fair trade movement, in particular looking at criteria laid down by fair trade networks across Europe. In some ways they are more demanding than anything we have in the UK at the present time. We intend that WONDERWORLD will be a model for the ways in which a privately run business can seriously engage with the ideals of fair trade.

WONDERWORLD's new trading policy will strengthen our fair trade practise in all areas with specific new commitments on fair pricing, external invigilation, transparency & participation in the fair trade movement. We would be very happy to discuss our trading policy with you directly or take part in discussions with your customers, staff and supporters. We believe that small scale importers and retailers in the UK must create a vigourous dialogue about the theory and practise of fair trade.

WE WILL give lots more information on all aspects of WONDERWORLD as the launch date gets closer. Most important for us is to ensure that everything that you valued in your business relationship with Dave Hogg, David Turner & 7 Wonders will continue in WONDERWORLD.

GOODBYE 7 WONDERS

IT MUST be explained however that the trading name 7 Wonders will not in fact disappear. 7 Wonders was originally a three person partnership of Dave Hogg, David Turner & Myles Podmore. Dave & David parted company with Myles earlier this year and he has decided to continue in business using the 7 Wonders trading name and logo, especially at trade shows around the country. We wish Myles well in his new venture but must emphasise to all our current customers that the 7 Wonders you might meet next century will be a completely different entity from the 7 Wonders you have known up till now. The old 7 Wonders entry in the British Association of Fair Trade Shops Suppliers Directory will be withdrawn. WONDERWORLD will submit a new application for inclusion.

OLD GREY BEARD

Dave Hogg, veteran retailer, highlights the threat from cowboy rates assessors!

No reduction, no charge" - trumpets the promotional blurb - but what if you have already been given an interim rate reduction by the government and the net effect of the rate assessors work is nil? You still get the bill! Some independent rate assessors purport to secure big reductions in your rates but they can be conning you. Get several references and read the small print of your contract carefully before signing up.