Last week was an unforgettable experience for Avo Activewear as we took over a spot in the John Lewis store at Cribbs Causeway in Bristol. From October 28th to November 3rd, we had the opportunity to showcase our products and connect with our community.
The week had me stationed at the stall from 10am to 8pm most days, on the lookout for as many petite women as I could spot to hand them a flyer! With my stall right across from the Quality Street pop-up, I made sure to have plenty of snacks on hand (favourites included Candy Kittens and M&S Cookie Dough Bites—though I balanced it out with some protein bars and dried fruit, of course!). I also made use of the staff dining area, where a hot lunch and a cuppa were much needed every day. During the quieter moments, I got some work done on my laptop—sometimes through sleepy eyes—but I powered through!
It was truly special to meet so many wonderful women, some of whom who had followed us on Instagram for years, and finally had the chance to see and try on Avo pieces in person. Hearing from those who have been part of our journey since the early days, witnessing both the range and myself grow, meant so much to me.
This experience was a team effort in so many ways, and there are so many people I couldn’t have done it without! My husband generously drove me to the store each morning with our 15-month-old in tow, and my parents were there at the end of each day to take me home. My mum and some of my friends also lent a hand at the stall, covering lunch breaks and keeping me company.
Unsurprisingly, The Elara Flare leggings and Gemini sports bras were a big hit. Although I had kept some black leggings aside to ensure we had stock available (now sold out online – always our most popular item!), our Midnight Navy Senara leggings were the bestseller of the week! We received lovely feedback from petite ladies about our range and even got suggestions for future products, like petite-sized socks—a request that’s definitely on our radar!
One funny challenge I ran into was finding a mannequin for the stall—I couldn’t track down one that was actually petite! So, I ended up buying a 160cm child mannequin instead. She didn’t quite have the curves for it, so I had to get creative and stuff her sports bra with socks! She might not have been the perfect fit, but she definitely caught people’s attention and gave everyone a good laugh.
After a busy and fulfilling week, I’m ready to take a breather before gearing up for our Black Friday sale. This experience has shown me just how impactful these in-person events can be, and I’m excited to bring Avo Activewear to more spaces where we can connect with our community.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by, offered support, and shared your stories. And thank you to Indie Pop-Up & John Lewis Bristol for the opportunity. Here’s to more opportunities like this in the future!
Ally x
