While DOTS Helsinki is already in the adult books, DOTS Turku is only 3 years old. We want to tell you about the birth of the store in Turku and about running your own lifestyle & fashion boutique. For that, Tiina Helminen and Sara Vähäpassi are now in the interview; Founders and owners of DOTS.

How did you end up establishing another DOTS in Turku?

We knew Turku well as a city because we have both lived there in our youth. I studied at the Turku University of Economics and worked in the Donatello clothing store during my studies, answers Sara. When we heard that several clothing stores were closing down in Turku, we realized that there really would be space and orders for the new Dots.

Are there differences in the stores?

The basic brand selection is the same in both stores, with the exception of a few brands, but the selection varies slightly from city to city. We have noticed that the people of Turku and the people of Helsinki are interested in slightly different things, and we strive to ensure that the selection is perfect for the customers of that city. Our magician visualist Anna Stailaa gives the stores their own looks, so the products also appear differently in different stores. It is important to us that both stores have their own DNA and that Dots customers get a new experience when they visit the other store.

How have you chosen the brands sold in the stores? 

The most important thing for us is the collection itself and the products, not just the brand. Of course, when choosing the brand itself, the brand's image, consistent quality collections and reliable deliveries are important. Every disappointment a customer experiences because of quality is a big setback for us. That's why we are specific about which brands we have in our selections. If quality problems arise, the cooperation will eventually end as well. We also want to offer our customers products of different price levels, so the selection includes brands with a slightly higher price level, as well as brands with a higher image and price level. Ethical values ​​and ecology are also important to us, and we strive to find collections and products that are made ethically or from recycled materials. In cosmetics, we prefer organic.

DOTS... is a lifestyle for us and hopefully also for our customers. The selections therefore have everything that we would like for our own home and wardrobe.

What is most important to you in the products sold in stores?

The most important criteria in the selections are quality, current and interesting models. Our goal is that our selection is delicious and different, but still approachable. When buying clothing collections, we think carefully about the compatibility of the selection: we try to buy wholes.

Tell us about setting up the store, what is it like?

Setting up a store is no joke. The groundwork must be done carefully - the selection must be considered, the budgets must be made and the initial financing must be in order.

The real birthday at the Turku store is Saturday, September 1. Then we open the boxes in both stores and offer our customers cake.

In addition to delicacies, we also have a super discount on new products for you; if you buy three products, you get a 30% discount, to celebrate the 3rd anniversary.