Continuing the series on the Excellence in Housewares Awards 2022’ Retail Employee of the Year finalists, Lawsons’ managing director Liz Lawson explains why Lawsons’ company buyer Victoria Lyndon is worthy of her nominations:
“Victoria joined Lawsons in 2003 when she was just a teenager working on Saturdays and during the school holidays. She was always keen to learn and had an excellent way with customers. She loved to help out when we did instore demonstrations and later when we exhibited at Flavour Fest, the Plymouth food festival, she was at the forefront of demonstrations and interacting with customers.
Victoria left us to go to university but returned to Plymouth and Lawsons in 2007, asking to progress into management. She completed a CMA management qualification alongside her role and became assistant manager in our Plymouth store. While there she developed our Cake Decorating department during the start of GBBO in 2010 and the Royal wedding in 2012 when cake decorating sales were at a peak. She spotted the cupcake innovation and before we knew it we had up to three metres of cupcake cases! She developed a real eye for trends and listening to our customers to ensure that we were stocking what they were looking for.
Victoria went on to be manager of the Plymouth store and continued to build sales with a real focus on customer service along with staff training and development. She also started to buy for some areas of cookshop developing a good rapport with suppliers. When we had to take the sad decision to close the Plymouth store due to the pandemic it was an easy decision to bring Victoria into head office as company buyer.
She has taken to this role with great understanding of what our customers want, plus a passionate drive for excellence and an ability to build strong relationships with our suppliers.
Victoria has an eye for detail, a drive for excellence and a passion for customer service which makes her an exceptional retailer; she is very worthy of this nomination.”
Top: Lawsons’ company buyer Victoria Lyndon.
