OUR WORK Hobbycraft
Hobbycraft New Stores: Supporting The Local Community
In 2023, Hobbycraft, the UK’s largest arts and crafts retailer, opened eight new stores across the UK – locations included Glasgow, Wigan, Canterbury, Poole, Southport, Lakeside York and Maidenhead. Each opening had a soft launch, and a grand opening event on a Saturday, where the store was officially opened by the local Mayor and/or Mayoress.
GOAL
Spread awareness about the new store openings amongst local press and in the community, both in the build-up to the opening, and the immediate aftermath, whilst demonstrating Hobbycraft’s support for local communities across the UK.
SECTOR EXPERTISE
Consumer
![](https://www.finnpartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Untitled-design-2022-04-14T114137.852-1.jpg)
3.9 million
total reach
a huge range of regional titles such as Daily Record, The Scottish Sun, Kent Live, Reading Live, Essex Live Yahoo! UK and Ireland, Bournemouth Daily Echo, Glasgow Evening Times
77
pieces of coverage
11 influencers to visit the new stores across the 8 openings
![](https://www.finnpartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Untitled-design-2022-04-14T114618.393.jpg)
The work
- FINN rolled out a seven-point plan that had one goal – to spread awareness about the new store in the local area. For each store, FINN booked a local photographer to capture some strong images for press, social, and marketing. Furthermore, the team invited local influencers and community groups down to spend a £30 voucher in-store. From a media outreach perspective, FINN pitched two pre-opening releases, and a post-opening release with different PR angles.