When your grandparents were young, the sweet shop was a very different place.

The shelves were full of rows of sweets in jars.

You chose the ones you wanted and they were weighed out and put in a paper bag.

A 'quarter' was a standard measure but if you were a bit low on funds, it might be just 2 ounces.

It was long before the days of metrication.

In 2003 Michael Parker spotted an opportunity.

He decided that there are plenty of people out there who want to walk down memory lane with a bag of their favourite sherbet lemons, penny chews or humbugs.

It looks like he was right. His business is thriving.

Just think...

When Michael had come up with his 'good idea' what do you think he had to do to prove that it might work?

The beginnings

Having researched the availability of products, Michael set up a website for his business - www.aquarterof.co.uk - to let people know what he has available.

Many of his customers live overseas and just can't get those reminders of their childhood so ordering them online works very well for them.

If you're far away - a taste of England can seem very appealing.

It's also easy to click on one more picture and order a few more!

When A Quarter Of began and orders were low, Michael just went down to the cash and carry for his stocks.

The business has grown so he now orders direct from the manufacturers.

Just think...

What advantages are there to selling from a website?

What are the drawbacks?

Why do you think Michael stopped buying at the cash and carry and now buys direct from the manufacturer?

Developments

Business has been so good that A Quarter Of has moved premises once and needs to move again.

Most of the space is for packaging the sweets in the company's own branded wrappings which reflect the image of the old fashioned sweet shop.

He only employs one full timer but when orders come flooding in at busy times like Christmas, he can call on up to 10 temporary staff.

Just think...

Why do you think the sweets are put into special A Quarter Of packaging?

When do you think busy times occur?

What advantages are there in being able to employ temporary staff at busy times?

Where next?

Michael has already decided that he needs to move again.

He needs room to store his supplies of sweets and space to package them.

He searches far and wide for old fashioned sweets to add to his range.

There are always new additions on the website.

He continues to buy sweets from manufacturers and isn't considering making them.

Just think...

What does Michael need to consider before taking on bigger premises?

Why do you think it's important to add to the range?

Why is Michael not planning to make the sweets? Explain why.

In what circumstances might it become worthwhile making the sweets?