In praise of the voucher: Plus-size women's designer fashion store launches web gift voucher scheme

Nov. 28, 2011 - PRLog -- Emma Plus, the leading plus-size women's designer fashion store in the south of England, has launched an internet-based gift voucher scheme – allowing web users to buy and print the transferable vouchers from the comfort of their own homes.  Vouchers are available for any sterling amount, and may be purchased online via credit/charge card or PayPal account.  

Vouchers are available from www.emmaplus.co.uk/vouchers.php and may be redeemed in store at Emma Plus in Brighton, UK, for their face value at any time (they never expire). They are also accepted up to the full value of the in-store purchase.

Emma Hayes, owner of Emma Plus, commented: "We often have people buying gifts for loved ones. It's a fraught area, because it isn't always easy to pick out something that will fit another person, not to mention suit them! So more often than not, when seeking something lovely, friends and family choose to buy a voucher.

"I know that, among some people, gift vouchers have a bit of a bad name as a 'lazy' or unimaginative present. However, the truth rests entirely on the kind of vouchers they are. Like flowers – which, if picked out individually with love and care from a florist (rather than bought at the last minute from a petrol station) – there are some gifts that show thought and love, and some that are used to merely satisfy an obligation at the last minute.

"Some of our happiest experiences have been with the recipients of our gift vouchers.  Many plus-size women have had no prior knowledge that we existed, while others knew we were here, but for a long time had mistakenly felt intimidated about visiting. Some larger women 'need permission' to feel OK about spending time and money on themselves, and others don’t feel it's appropriate for them to buy a beautiful garment while they are 'this size'.

"A gift voucher can drive a coach and horses through these objections. Someone has thought about the voucher recipient, as a larger woman, and seen them as a person who is attractive and fashion-minded. They have gone to the time and effort to find a shop that has the things that the recipient would love.  And they have had the foresight to completely disregard any comments by the recipient about how they should just put up with not having anything nice to wear, at least until they're down to a size 14.

"Over the years I have seen many larger women who have come in to spend their voucher, never having stepped over our threshold until that day.  Often they are amazed and delighted; it can be a whole new world to someone who has not seen designer clothes in plus sizes before.  To these women the gift is two-fold.  On the one hand it is the present of a garment, and on the other it is the gift of our store.  These women usually become our regular customers... and many have become my friends."

As a special introductory offer, Emma Plus gift vouchers have 10% extra value added free.  This offer is available until Christmas Day - although the vouchers are still redeemable at any time.

NOTE FOR EDITORS

Emma Plus is an independent plus-size designer womenswear store in Brighton, Sussex, UK, and sells mid-to-high end women’s clothing in sizes 18 to 32.  It stocks many leading brands – including Anna Scholz, Marina Rinaldi (the plus-size collection from the Max Mara stable), Elena Miro, Elena Grunert and others.  Established in 1994, the store attracts customers from all over the UK, many of which now discover it through its website: www.emmaplus.co.uk.

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